New Delhi, June 16: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Anand Bhaskar Rapolu has written to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) to declare Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary as National Students Day. Rapolu has written a letter to Union HRD Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to declare October 15, Kalam's birth anniversary, as National Students Day throughout the country.

In his letter, the minister said that United Nations (UN) has already declared the day as 'World Students Day' and said India too should celebrate the day as National Students Day. "Throughout out nation, since his (APJ Abdul Kalam) passing away, several Universities and Institutions are observing the event in their own ways", the letter read.

In March this year, Rapolu had quit from the primary membership of the Congress and had joined BJP soon after. Bhaskar, who had served Congress for 25 years, was aspiring for a ticket from Palakurthy constituency, was stated to be upset with the Congress for not offering him a ticket. APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes: Celebrate Missile Man's 87th Birth Anniversary With His Inspirational Sayings. 

Take a Look at the Letter:

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. This year, it will be Kalam's 88th Birth Anniversary on October 15, 2019. Kalam often spoke to children and the youth - inspiring them to think big in life.  He was also called the 'Missile Man' of India for his contributions in the field of defence technology.

He was an aerospace scientist who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved in India's civilian space programme and military missile development efforts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 16, 2019 02:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).