Honoring Dr Kalam - IIM Shillong Celebrates Innovation, Education, and Space Achievements

In a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, IIM Shillong commemorated the visionary leader on his death anniversary by celebrating his contributions to innovation, education, and space achievements. The institute organised the 8th Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture, reflecting on his teachings and remarkable impact.

The event commenced with students and faculty paying floral tributes to Dr Kalam, fondly recalling his association with IIM Shillong and his enduring influence. Dr Sanjeev Ningombam, Centre Head of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis at IIM Shillong, welcomed the attendees and highlighted Dr Kalam’s commitment to education. His guest lectures at the institute exemplify his belief in the transformative power of learning.

The ‘Nurturing Minds’ initiative, launched in 2015 shortly after Dr Kalam's passing, was also spotlighted. Through this program, IIM Shillong students have significantly impacted the education of local students, honoring Dr Kalam’s dedication to community development.

A key highlight of the event was the presence of Dr S P Aggarwal, Director of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), who delivered the memorial lecture. An expert in Remote Sensing and GIS applications, Dr Aggarwal discussed ISRO's contributions to disaster management, the Moon Mission, and the advancement of space technology. His address underscored the role of space technology in diverse fields such as agriculture, horticulture, geology, mining, infrastructure planning, and ocean and atmospheric studies.

In conjunction with the lecture, an exhibition showcasing India’s space achievements was organised in collaboration with NESAC. This exhibition served as a powerful testament to the country’s cosmic journey and paid homage to the man who ignited the nation's space dreams.

The event concluded with a resonant message for students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. Dr Kalam's famous quote, "Dreams are not those which come while we are sleeping, but dreams are those when you don't sleep before fulfilling them," echoed through the hall, inspiring the next generation to turn their aspirations into reality.