I had four screws in my head, and two metal rods through my legs and hands. Surprised? Welcome to the experience of a polio survivor. One who aspires to become a scientist some day.

At one point of time, like a ray of hope, I heard of Dr Abdul Kalam’s invention - the light weight calipers which helped polio victims to walk and to move with pride and confidence. Dr Kalam was an Indian scientist who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

This was the prime reason of why I chose to become a scientist, to become the cause of someone’s happiness.

Before I turned 12, I had to undergo two major surgeries in which doctors would attempt to straighten my spine which was twisted as a result of polio.

The efforts of scientists has won India many feats and even made the country one of the best in remote sensing satellite technology in the world.

Scientits play a pivotal role in the development of society.

But it is not easy to become a scientist, I was laughed at and ridiculed when I told my friends that I wanted to become a scientist. They told me that it wasn’t the “safe” option. Being low in my confidence it was Dr Kalam who inspired me to carry on.

It was Dr Kalam’s hope, determination and perseverance, which led him to become one of the world’s renowned scientists as we know him today.

I envision a world in which scientists could do more for the medical industry. I hope we build machines and tools, which are designed to help doctors in the prevention of growth and spread of diseases.

Here are some of the ways that I, as an aspiring scientist have tried to contribute to my society. I built a prototype of a machine which is able to produce electricity from sand, and I thought I could practically create it for use in the UAE. I worked day and night for this project. However, I soon realised that when sand is heated to high temperatures it turns into glass which takes thousands of years to decompose. Such an invention would pose a threat to the environment. But failures are okay. I believe that failures are the stepping stones to success. With every mistake that I make, I learn more about myself, my limits and my capabilities. Just like Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said in his book, Wings of Fire: “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep.” Never ever let failure stop you from dreaming.

- The reader is a student based in the UAE