Students’ Day in India Date in the current year: October 15, 2024

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931 to a Tamil Muslim family. His ancestors had been wealthy and his father used to have a business, but by Kalam’s early childhood, his family had become poor. At school, Kalam was regarded as a hardworking and bright student, despite having average grades. In addition to selling newspapers to help support his family, Kalam spent hours studying.

Thanks to his perseverance and thirst for knowledge, Kalam entered Saint Joseph’s College affiliated with the University of Madras. Upon graduating with a degree in physics, he began to study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology.

Abdul Kalam is sometimes referred to as the “father of India’s missile program”. While working at the Indian Space Research Organization, he participated in the development of the Satellite Launch Vehicle, supervised the launch of India’s first satellite, Rohini, and played a key role in several nuclear tests and other crucial projects. During his presidency, Kalam paid much attention to the development of science, technology, and education.

After leaving the presidential office, Kalam spent a lot of time interacting with high school and university students because he believed in the important role of talented and educated young people in shaping India’s future. He even died while giving a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. It is due to his contribution to the development of higher education and being a source of inspiration for Indian students that it was decided to celebrate Students’ Day on Kalam’s birthday.

Although some Indian media claim that the United Nations declared the birthday of Abdul Kalam World Students’ Day in 2010, there is no such observance on the official list of the United Nations observances. However, there is International Students’ Day (also not officially recognized by the UN). It is celebrated on November 17 to commemorate the Nazi raids on Czech universities in 1939.