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Jammu and Kashmir is one of the beautiful states of India. The number of
tourist footfalls increases every year. The state has everything beautiful.
This state is unruffled. Talking about the postal network, India has the
largest postal network in the world. This tourist place added a new feather to
its cap when it declared the inauguration of a floating post office on the Dal
Lake, which is also India’s first floating post office. As informed by John
Samuel, the state’s chief post master, "This is the first such post office in India. It has been made as a
tourist focus post office on a huge house boat and will provide a unique and tourist-friendly service to
the people of Kashmir and to tourists from across the world." The post office also includes a philately
museum. Moreover, there is a shop that sells stamps and other things. Picture post cards, greeting
cards, stationery and several books on Kashmir are also sold here. The beauty of this post office truly
compliments the beauty of this lake. This idea of having a floating post office is incredibly different
and benefitting.
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A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, full name Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam,
(born October 15, 1931, Rameswaram, India—died July 27, 2015, Shillong),
Indian scientist and politician who played a leading role in the development
Of India’s missile and nuclear weapons programs. He was president
of India from 2002 to 2007.
Kalam earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Madras
Institute of Technology and in 1958 joined the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO). He soon moved to the
Indian Space Research Organisation, where he was project
director of the SLV-III, India’s first indigenously designed and
produced satellite launch vehicle. Rejoining DRDO in 1982,
Kalam planned the program that produced a number of
successful missiles, which helped earned him the
nickname “Missile Man.”
From 1992 to 1997 Kalam was scientific adviser to the
defense minister, and he later served as principal scientific adviser (1999–2001) to the
government with the rank of cabinet minister. His prominent role in the country’s 1998
nuclear weapons tests established Kalam as a national hero, although the tests caused great
concern in the international community. In 1998 Kalam put forward a countrywide plan
called Technology Vision 2020, which he described as a road map for transforming India
from a less-developed to a developed society in 20 years. The plan called for, among other
measures, increasing agricultural productivity, emphasizing technology as a vehicle for
economic growth, and widening access to health care and education.
In 2002 India’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) put forward Kalam to succeed
outgoing President Kocheril Raman Narayanan. Kalam was nominated by the Hindu
nationalist (Hindutva) NDA even though he was Muslim, and his stature and popular appeal
were such that even the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, also proposed
his candidacy. Kalam easily won the election and was sworn in as India’s 11th president, a
largely ceremonial post, in July 2002. He remained committed to using science and
technology to transform India into a developed country. In 2007 Kalam left office and was
succeeded by Pratibha Patil, the country’s first woman president.
Kalam wrote several books, including an autobiography, Wings of Fire (1999). Among his
numerous awards were two of the country’s highest honours, the Padma Vibhushan (1990)
and the Bharat Ratna (1997).
By Bhavya Bhatia
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Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
Was the 11th President of India. He was
one of the greatest Indian scientists. His
journey from a middle class family to
becoming the President was not a cake
walk. He was born in a middle class
muslim family in Rameshwaram,
Tamil Nadu. He was not rich but he had
a secure childhood.
Dr. Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen,
was neither rich nor he possessed any
wealth but he was truly generous and
wise. His mother, Ashiamma, was a
home maker who used to feed a number of people everyday. She was very gentle and kind. It
was assured that Dr. Kalam had a secure childhood both emotionally as well as materially.
More than anything, he learnt honesty and self-discipline from his father, and faith in
goodness and kindness from his mother. He respected his parents a lot and had reverence for
their hard work.
When Kalam was about eight years old, World War II broke out
in 1939. This World War led to a sudden demand for tamarind
seeds in the market. He would then collect tamarind seeds and
sold them to a store. For one day’s work, he was paid an anna.
Because of the World War, there was suspension of train halt at
Rameshwaram station. Kalam collected bundles of newspapers
by catching them from the moving train and sell them later. For
this also, he earned an anna per day.
Kalam had three friends who belonged to Hindu orthodox
families. They were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and
Sivaprakashan. Kalam and his family used to participate in Shri
Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony. They used to prepare boats with
special platforms to carry idols of Lords from temples to the
marriage site. Also, Kalam’s mother and grandmother narrated
stories from Ramayana and Prophet’s life. They were their
favourite bedtime stories.
After the Second World War was over, Kalam told his father that he wanted to leave
Rameshwaram and study at district headquarters. Though his mother never wanted him to
leave but his father convinced her to let him go.
By Aarzoo Kareer
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10 life lessons we learned from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Here are some of Dr Abdul Kalam’s inspirational sayings through which he will
be remembered forever:
❖ “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”
❖ “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.”
❖ “My message, especially to young people is to have courage to think differently,
courage to invent, to travel the unexplored path, courage to discover the impossible
and to conquer the problems and succeed. These are great qualities that they must
work towards. This is my message to the young people.”
❖ “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
❖ “Let me define a leader. He must have vision and passion and not be afraid of any
problem. Instead, he should know how to defeat it. Most importantly, he must work
with integrity.”
❖ “Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended.”
❖ “Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.”
❖ “Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.”
❖ “Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires
only to give the best to those who dream and work.”
❖ “You see, God helps only people who work hard. That principle is very clear.”
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DORAEMON : Doraemon is a Japanese Cartoon Super Hero.
He is a robot who has gadgets to solve all the problems of his friend,
Nobita. He protects his friend Nobita always. He has a pocket where
he keeps his gadgets. He is sweet and helpful. He fulfils all the wishes
of Nobita. One can learn the quality of being helpful, sweet and kind
from Doraemon.
BATMAN : Batman is one of the favourite superheroes of
kids these days. He saves his country from bad people and bad
things. He loves children a lot. He wears a costume. He is the
protector of law and order. Batman is an inspiration for all. He
is good to others. One should learn good qualities from
Batman. He also respects everyone.
NINJA HATTORI : Ninja Hattori is Kenichi’s friend. Kenichi is
11-year old. Ninja Hattori has a brother, Shinzo and a dog, Shishimaru.
He lives with Kenichi’s family with his brother and dog. Hattori always
helps his friend Kenichi and keeps an eye on him, like a good friend and
well wisher. Hattori also helps Kenichi in his school work and other
problems. One should be a friend like Ninja Hattori.
CHHOTA BHEEM : Chhota Bheem lives in Dholakpur. He is 9-
year old. He is brave, strong and intelligent. Bheem has many friends
but his close friends are Chutki, Raju and Jaggu. Bheem helps his
friends. He also solves the problems of his village. He has enemies also
but he is good-natured. He likes to eat ladoo. One should learn to be
brave and happy from Bheem.
SUPERMAN : Superman is a confident and brave man.
He protects the people of his country and his country as well.
He looks after the problems of everyone. He wears a blue
costume. He is honest, helpful and intelligent. He never does
bad to anyone. One should be like Superman.
- By Aarzoo Kareer
Favourite Cartoon Super Heroes
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At first glance, Hyderabad reminds us of everything that is good in a metropolis: the IT sector at
HITEC City and the old charm of Charminar, the Falaknama Palace, Golconda fort etc. But there is
more than what meets the eye. According to the 2011 Census, one-third of Hyderabad’s population
lives in slums. Over 1179 slums have been officially identified by GHMC. The slum population is
growing at a rate of 6.06% per annum. Much of this is concentrated in the Old City, Hyderabad
where living conditions remain abysmal. With hardly any industry, the primary sources of livelihood
include housekeeping, auto rickshaws, blue collared work and street vending.
Education is discontinued at a young age for most children due to financial constraints and safety
concerns. The kids who drop out are involved in household chores, child labor, child marriages etc.
We had seen the advantages of a good education first-hand and wanted similar opportunities to be
open for all children in the Old City. To make this a reality, A group of Intellectuals founded Today’s
Kalam Foundation in 2016. Now we have 3 employees and over 50 volunteers.
Today’s Kalam Foundation has the primary agenda of making basic academics and soft skills viable to
every child in Old City. Towards this, they focus on conducting various educational and health
programmes among the slum areas to empower children with knowledge and skills for their future
career. So far they have worked closely with over a thousand children. The Foundation has partnered
with over 20 Madrassas and 10 Urdu Medium Schools and conduct empowerment sessions every week
with children.
To reach out to kids who don't get the opportunity to attend schools, Today’s Kalam volunteers visit
slum areas and identify student groups. Under Graduates and Post Graduates are selected as mentors
and a Kalam Centre is established in a local hall or a study space. Each center focuses on empowering
30 children. The children visit the center everyday for two hours to learn basic reading and writing
skills and arithmetic calculations. There is a special focus on health and hygiene, nutrition awareness
and career counselling. They also teach self-defence, sports, vocational training and other
extracurricular activities. The Kalam centers ensure that children are always updated on general
knowledge including political, geographical and international issues, advances of applied sciences and
the advantages of technology. Attendance is recorded everyday. As of today, 15 Kalam Centers have
been set up with over 450 children attending every day. Each Kalam Center runs on a meagre budget
of 50,600 rupees a year. Important national festivals like Independence Day, Republic Day etc are
celebrated with gusto.
Currently, Today’s Kalam Foundation is focussing on expanding its activities to reach out to more
underprivileged children in the Old City and reduce the consequences of lack of education. They plan
to set up 50 more Kalam Centers which will touch the lives of over 1500 deprived children and give
them access to education and life skills. Towards this, we are seeking volunteers based out of
hyderabad, trainers who could train volunteers and individual as well as corporate sponsorships.
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As of today, 15 Kalam Centers have been set up with over 450 children attending every day. You can see our updates in our website, www.todayskalam.com
Today’s kalam has taken an initiative on a trail basis to explore the hidden talents and introduce
them to the youth. The endevour is to introduce persons who are contributing silently to the
underprivileged in the society so that they become role models to the youth. We showcase both
budding authors as well as experienced educationalists, social activitists, industrialists or anyone with
unique capabilites and excellent skills. Hope our Today’s kalam will provide a unique platform to
bring to light the deserved ones. Do not hesitate to send your ideas /concepts for betterment of our
magazine. Our editorial team will contact you. Our aim is to see that every talent or selfless work gets
an opportunity to reach the public.
To send your article/concepts contact ,
Editor : Arshad Shaik (www.twitter.com/arshadshaik94)
For more Updates, and for Today’s Kalam Foundation Activities, please visit
Website : www.todayskalam.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/todayskalamofficial/
Twitter : www.twitter.com/Todays_Kalam
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Todays Kalam Foundation Activities