Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? Is it a legacy of our colonial years? We want foreign television sets. We want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported?

Abdul Kalam was an Indian scientist and statesman who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born in 1931 in a small town in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He was the country’s first scientist President and the most loved President of India. He was also known as the 'Missile Man of India' for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. He was a pioneer of India's civilian space programme, launching the country's first satellite in 1975. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, for his contributions to the country. He was a strong advocate for education and was a passionate speaker who inspired millions of youth across the country with his speeches. He passed away in 2015 due to a cardiac arrest. He is fondly remembered for his humility, simplicity and passion for science.