A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre is a non-profit organization located primarily in India with branches spread across the country. It was formed in the memory of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (11th President of India) in 2015. The organization is founded by Srijan Pal Singh, an author, social entrepreneur and public speaker. He also worked as the Officer-on-Special-Duty and Advisor for Science, Technology and Policy to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam between 2009 and 2015. The organization aspires to create a sustainable and livable planet Earth for humanity by taking forward the vision of Dr. Kalam. It also aims to promote innovations, especially in governance and social enterprises, to improve youth participation in national and international development so as to improve access to education as well as knowledge in all strata of the society.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre
Formation2015
FounderSrijan Pal Singh
TypeNon-governmental organization
Location
  • Delhi (Head Office), Ahmedabad, Agra, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Pune, Singapore
Websitewww.kalamcentre.com

Pillars

Education

Kalam Centre runs a network of free libraries across remote and economically backward regions of India under the banner of Kalam Library. These libraries cater to the reading and learning needs of children in slums, government schools, low-cost private schools, and children observation homes. Collectively, the libraries serve the needs of over 500,000 children. Another initiative is that of Dreamathon[1] which is an annual flagship campaign to ignite the passion for learning among the youth. It supports them by providing relevant skills to help them reach their full potential and go beyond. Kalam Centre also has over 500 auxiliary teachers in Telangana under the initiative of Kalam Bharat[2] to help fill the knowledge gaps in government schools.

Governance

Kalam Centre annually organizes the India Innovation and Governance Summit where selected deserving individuals and institutions are awarded for their work towards improving governance and delivering value to the citizens. The summit also acts as a forum for plenary discussions. Since 2017, three editions of the summit have been conducted, with the latest being organized on 28 February 2019 where M. Venkaiah Naidu (Vice President of India) was the Chief Guest.[3] Some of the KIGA awardees until now include K. Srinivas (IAS, Additional Secretary, DoPT), Nara Lokesh (Cabinet Minister, Information Technology, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh),[4] Ashwani Lohani (Chairman, Indian Railway Board and former MD, Air India),[5] Dr. Mahesh Gupta (Chairman & MD, Kent RO Systems), Anuj Dayal (Executive Director, DMRC),[6] Dnyaneshwar Mulay (Secretary MEA, CPV & OIA), Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Former Chief Minister),[7] Lieutenant General Amarjeet Singh Bedi (DGDIA & DCIDS – Intelligence, Ministry of Defence, Government of India), Chennai Metro Rail Limited, among many others.

Innovation and Technology

Kalam Centre works in collaboration with universities and organizations in campaigning research and innovation-led projects to propel growth and development, especially for those at the base of the pyramid. Through its skill development initiatives and startup 'Parikramas' under Kalam Centre for Innovation & Incubation of Startups (K-CIIS), it aims to foster the entrepreneurial mindset and action-oriented thinking among the youth.

Environment

Every year, on the death anniversary of Dr. Kalam, Kalam Centre organizes an Intentional Youth Conclave on the topic of the last lecture of Dr. Kalam - Creating a Livable Planet Earth, which he was supposed to give at IIM-Shillong.

References
  1. "All Aboard the Sapno ka Dibba! A Metro Ride Inspires Underprivileged Kids to Reach for Their Dreams". The Better India. 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  2. "38 हजार बच्चों को कलाम बनने का सामर्थ्‍य देने का नाम है 'कलाम भारत' प्रोजेक्ट". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  3. "Vice President presents Kalam Innovation in Governance Award 2019 | DD News". www.ddinews.gov.in. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  4. Staff Reporter (2018-01-20). "Lokesh receives innovation in governance award". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  5. Pioneer, The. "3 get Kalam Memorial Award". The Pioneer. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  6. IANS (2018-01-20). "40 bureaucrats, Delhi Metro official honoured with Kalam award". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  7. "एपीजे अब्दुल कलाम अवॉर्ड्स से सम्मानित हुए शिवराज सिंह, कहा- ये मेरा नहीं मध्यप्रदेश का पुरस्कार". Patrika News (in Hindi). Retrieved 2019-11-20.
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