Latest news with #APJAbdulKalam
NDTV
6 days ago
- General
- NDTV
"Mini-Library" At Manipur Relief Camp A Huge Success Story Of Youth Power
Imphal: A group of young people installed three metal shelves filled with some books at a relief camp in Manipur in July 2024. They called it a "mini library". A rectangular plywood table, unpainted, and some plastic chairs served as the reading area in the centre of the otherwise spartan room. Nearly a year later, from a few textbooks like IIT JEE Physics, Chemistry, Biology, NEET sample papers and NCERT titles, the mini library has grown larger with books donated by the public. The small room at the relief camp that housed the three metal shelves sees more visitors, most of them students, today. "We formed the group in April 2024 to help students living in relief camps with books and any skill matters that would be within our ability to train or provide," a member of 'Youth Connect - The Champion for Change' (YCC) told NDTV. "It has been over a year, and looking back we are glad we took this up ourselves," the YCC member said, adding many of the members are PhD students and candidates of competitive exams. The library has approximately 500 books at present, another YCC member said. A majority of them are textbooks of all subjects for Classes 9 to 12, some sample test papers for Staff Selection Commission (SCC), Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), etc. There are few novels. The YCC handed over the responsibility of running the mini-library and day-to-day tasks to a small team comprising students living at the relief camp in Imphal West district's Lamboi Khongnangkhong. In the meantime, the YCC reached out to the public with information about the initiative. While some came forward to donate used books, others bought the latest textbooks in bundles and donated them. Members of 'Youth Connect - The Champion for Change' (YCC) who are running the mini-library at a relief camp in Manipur's Imphal West district Independent filmmaker and Manipur University assistant professor Meena Longjam was among those who visited the relief camp to donate books. The titles she gave included 'Wings of Fire', the autobiography of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and 'Great Stories for Children' by Ruskin Bond. YCC said the mini-library works as a community-based bookshelf from where students can borrow books and study material, and in the process help in creating a positive vibe and give hope. They have also regularly held play sessions, football games, and other activities for children living in relief camps. The ethnic violence in Manipur that began in May 2023 led to the displacement of at least 50,000 people. The clashes killed over 260. Thousands from the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes are still living in relief camps across the state. While the government has from time to time announced the steps it has taken to help internally displaced persons (IDPs), individuals from both the affected communities have taken it upon themselves to help as many IDPs as possible by forming small coordination groups. The scale may not be large due to limited resources; however, many small groups whose members are mostly common working professionals have shared success stories of their interventions despite their busy schedules and work commitments, such as funding the education of a few meritorious students outside the state, providing scholarships for higher studies, etc. For YCC, the latest milestone happened when a Shillong-based graphic design firm took interviews of candidates at the mini library on May 26. From three thin shelves of textbooks, the mini library at the relief camp in Imphal West has come a long way, but still has a ways to go for the shelves to run out of space.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Kalam: The Missile Man of India': Dhanush to play APJ Abdul Kalam in biopic directed by Om Raut
Tamil actor Dhanush will play the role of former president APJ Abdul Kalam in his biopic 'Kalam: The Missile Man of India' directed by Om Raut. The film was officially announced at the Cannes Film Market on Wednesday. Dhanush also shared the post poster of the film in his Instagram account. "I feel truly blessed and deeply humbled to be portraying the life of such an inspirational and magnanimous leader - our very own Dr APJ Abdul Kalam sir," he wrote. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar of T-Series and Abhishek Agarwal and Anil Sunkara of Abhishek Agarwal Arts. Director Om Raut, in a post on X, shared the update on the film. "From Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the journey of a legend begins India's Missile Man is coming to the silver screen. Dream big. Rise higher. #KALAM - The Missile Man of India @dhanushkraja @omraut #BhushanKumar @AbhishekOfficl @AAArtsOfficial," he wrote.
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Cannes Film Festival 2025: Dhanush to play former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in biopic
Actor Dhanush is all set to portray the "Missile Man of India" and India's 11th President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, in a biopic, its makers announced at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. The biopic will be helmed by director Om Raut, who is known for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. The screenplay is penned by Saiwyn Quadras, whose writing credits include the acclaimed Bollywood biopics Neerja, Maidaan and Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran. "In an era starved of true statesmen, Kalam stood above politics and pettiness," Raut said in a statement. "He was a man who was known for the power of education, excellence and indigenous innovation." "To bring his story to the screen is an artistic challenge and a moral and cultural responsibility. It's a story that's inspirational for global youth and especially the youth of the Global South," he said. "...His life is a lesson that is bound to connect with people no matter who they are and where they come from." Producer Abhishek Agarwal, too, shared his excitement. However, not much details have been shared by the makers of the biopic. The film is backed by Agarwal and Bhushan Kumar, and produced by Agarwal, Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Anil Sunkara.
Mint
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
APJ Abdul Kalam biopic announced at Cannes Film Festival 2025 - Cast, director, title, first poster, other details here
Cannes Film Festival 2025: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam biopic is in process as announced by the filmmakers during the prestigious 78th Cannes Film Festival 2025 on May 21. National Award-winning actor Dhanush will play the title role of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in the upcoming biopic titled 'Kalam,' which carries the tagline 'The Missile Man of India.' The story based on Missile man of India will be produced under the banner T-Series. The producer Abhishek Agarwal, known for The Kashmir Files and The Delhi Files" will be joining hands with Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Anil Sunkara for the legendary tale, while the screenplay will be penned by 'Neerja' fame Saiwyn Quadras. Bharat Ratna awardee Abdul Kalam made a mark as one of the chief architects of the Indian space programme. He was closely involved in India's civilian space programme and military missile development efforts and played a significant role while serving in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Director Om Raut in a post on X stated, 'From Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the journey of a legend begins… India's Missile Man is coming to the silver screen. Dream big. Rise higher. #KALAM - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮.' The movie will explore the landmark moments of his life, programs and the period of presidency of India's 11th President. The icon was a noted poet, teacher and a dreamer who sought to bring changes. The official statement of the filmmakers' states, 'In an era starved of true statesmen, Kalam stood above politics and pettiness. He was a man who was known for power of education, excellence and indigenous innovation." Giving the details about the narrative, Om Raut added, "To bring his story to screen is an artistic challenge and a moral and cultural responsibility. It's a story that's inspirational for global youth and especially the youth of Global south. It's the most important experience of my life. His life is lesson that is bound to connect with people no matter who they are and where they come from.'
News18
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Dhanush To Play APJ Abdul Kalam In Om Raut-Directed Biopic, Announced At Cannes 2025
Last Updated: The project, which has officially gone into production, aims to chronicle the extraordinary life of the 11th President of India, known widely as the 'Missile Man of India.' Dhanush is all set to portray one of India's most beloved figures, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, in a grand biopic helmed by National Award-winning filmmaker Om Raut. The announcement was made at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, leaving fans thrilled. The project, which has officially gone into production, aims to chronicle the extraordinary life of the 11th President of India, known widely as the 'Missile Man of India.' The film is being produced by Abhishek Agarwal under Abhishek Agarwal Arts, the banner behind The Kashmir Files, in collaboration with Bhushan Kumar's T-Series. Dhanush will play the titular role, while the screenplay is penned by Saiwyn Quadras, known for acclaimed biopics such as Neerja, Maidaan, and Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's journey, from his humble beginnings in Rameswaram to becoming one of India's most respected scientists and a visionary President, is considered one of the most inspirational stories in modern Indian history. Director Om Raut shared his deep sense of responsibility in telling this story: 'In an era starved of true statesmen, Kalam stood above politics and pettiness. He was a man who was known for power of education, excellence and indigenous innovation. To bring his story to screen is an artistic challenge and a moral and cultural responsibility. It's a story that's inspirational for global youth and especially the youth of Global South. It's the most important experience of my life." Producer Abhishek Agarwal echoed similar sentiments, calling it 'an emotional moment." He added, 'We are excited to bring the epic life of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to the big screen. We are privileged to tell this story. This is one of Indian cinema's most prestigious projects and will be a grand spectacle on a global scale." Bhushan Kumar, who has previously worked with Om Raut on Tanhaji and Adipurush, said, 'Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's life is a story that continues to inspire millions. This marks our third collaboration with Om Raut, and teaming up with Dhanush and Abhishek Agarwal makes it even more special. This is more than just a film—it's a tribute to a man who showed us how dreams, dedication, and humility can shape a nation's future."
