A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Building capacity dissolves differences. It irons out inequalities.

Almost half of the population of the world lives in rural regions and mostly in a state of poverty. Such inequalities in human development have been one of the primary reasons for unrest and, in some parts of the world, even violence.

When grand plans for scientific and defence technologies are made, do the people in power think about the sacrifices the people in the laboratories and fields have to make?

To become 'unique,' the challenge is to fight the hardest battle which anyone can imagine until you reach your destination.

Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.

One lesson that every nation can learn from China is to focus more on creating village-level enterprises, quality health services and educational facilities.

What is politics? Political system is equal to development politics plus political politics.

We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilizational heritage.

One of the more difficult tasks for me as president was to decide on the issue of confirming capital punishment awarded by courts... to my surprise... almost all cases which were pending had a social and economic bias.

English is necessary as at present original works of science are in English. I believe that in two decades times original works of science will start coming out in our languages. Then we can move over like the Japanese.

I was a disadvantaged child from a non-educated family, yet I had the advantage of being in the company of great teachers.

If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.