Carrying Forward the Legacy of Dr. APJ Kalam – Two Young Visionaries with the courage to change the world

‘Notes to Myself’ summarizes the well-lived life of an ideal man. Dr. Kalam set his intentions upon pursuing higher studies at the age of fifteen. Following that, he established himself in society by the time he was thirty and freed himself from worldly distractions by the age of forty. In his middle age, his energies were firmly aligned, and throughout the last decade of his life, he followed a higher mandate of making this planet more liveable. Before he left this world at the age of eighty-three, he issued a clarion call to make our planet more liveable. His life message is that the process of building a better world never ends, because it is as much an inner quest as an earthly duty. Today the children of this very legacy continue the efforts carried forward by two dynamic and focused leaders namely, Prof. Pankaj Choudhary and Mr. Paresh M. Patel.

From being the youngest Law Professor to the founder of Let’s Do It India Foundation, Prof. Choudhary leads impactful initiatives and projects in the domains of environmental conservation, sustainable tourism & education. A visionary youth leader tracking across 500 plus cities in various nations, he is a man made for these very uncertain times, who never loses the capacity to amaze and inspire. He is indeed inspiring young students across nations by building a cultural bridge energizing Educational Exchange Programs and an International Youth Leadership Forum. I trust that the reader will gain much from his insights on life, history, leadership and most importantly purposeful governance.

Paresh M. Patel is a Tech Entrepreneur & Philanthropist working across varied spectrums of industries to propel socio-economic growth and development. Driven by a profound belief in the power of art, science, and technology, Paresh has pioneered cutting-edge advancements to enhance global wellness, catalyze industrial expansion, and revolutionize our approach to health and life. He believes that meaningful collaborations and alliances govern one’s path for the future. As the Director (Technology, R&D) at Let’s Do It India Foundation, Paresh focuses towards leading global outreach programmes & dialogues with global leaders to in turn create a micro-level impact in the domestic realms of different jurisdictions whilst enhancing citizen action & ensuring collective progress towards making this world a more sustainable and better place to live in for our future generations.

On 24th May, 2022 the vision shouldered by these young leaders, led us to one of the most under the radar nations of Mexico, and left an introspective impression in minds of educators, especially the renowned University Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico.

Upon experiencing the vast campus, the leaders discussed, deliberated and shared a dialogue on the expansive history and impact that both the nations share, and the potential of making an impact that presently exists.

The possibility of establishing a library dedicated towards the study of Air & Space Law in the university which could further act & function as a knowledge center for thoughtful exchange of ideas & information between students from both nations was also discussed at length. Functioning as a hub for research, education, and collaboration, the library will provide access to a wide range of legal resources related to the spectrums of aerospace & aviation law while marking a tribute to contributions made by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to India’s space technology.

In the early 1960s, India’s wheat and rice production were languishing at 10-12 million tonnes (mt) and 35-36 mt, respectively, forcing massive grain imports that crossed 10 mt in 1966-67. The domestic wheat output was estimated at 95 mt, and more than 100 mt for the rice.

It is true that the people who did the actual breeding or selection of the blockbuster varieties in wheat (Kalyan Sona, Sonalika, Arjun, Janak, HD-2285 and HD-2329) and rice (IR-8, Jaya and Padma) that farmers planted in a big way aren’t as well known in popular imagination — the likes of VS Mathur, SP Kohli, DS Athwal and G.S. Khush. But there isn’t any doubt that the basic strategic vision underpinning the Green Revolution in India — introducing a new genetic strain or ‘plant type’ responsive to increased fertilizer and water application — came from Dr. Swaminathan.

In April 1962, Dr Swaminathan sent a detailed proposal to the then IARI Director, B.P. Pal, seeking to invite Normann Borlaug to India and initiate a wheat breeding programme with dwarf spring wheat material from Mexico, and the rest is history. Borlaug visited IARI in March 1963 and later sent the seeds from the best of his semi-dwarf Mexican wheat strains, Sonora 64 and Lerma Rojo 64. The selections and varieties developed from those launched the Green Revolution. By the end of the decade, India’s wheat production crossed 20 mt.

As Normann Borlaug put it, Dr Swaminathan deserved “a great deal of the credit … for first recognising the potential value of the Mexican wheat dwarfs. Had this not occurred, it is quite possible that there would not have been a Green Revolution in Asia”.

Leaning on the strength of our nation’s history, Let’s Do It India Foundation aims to realize this vision for an Exchange Program by inviting participation in an International Technology Camp hosted and lead by Let’s Do It India, in India towards the second half of the year, to inspire the youth of our nation. Serving as a platform for fostering intellectual discourse and sharing knowledge among nations, the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Air & Space Law library has the potential of bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders in the field. The scope of these events would extend to discussions, debates, and exchange of diverse perspectives on emerging legal issues, international cooperation, regulation of air and space activities, and so much more.

May we open ourselves to the possibilities in Dr Kalam’s ideas that lead us to more meaningful, fulfilling lives.