Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam

Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam was born on 15th October, 1931, at Rameswaram, India was an Indian scientist who played a leading role in the development of India’s missile and nuclear weapons programs. Even though he was not a politician, he was elected as the president of India from 2002 to 2007. His scientific achievements and popularity gained him the name “Missile Man” and “People’s President.”

Dr. Kalam was born in Rameswaram, a town in Tamil Nadu state to a fishing boat owner from a once wealthy family. Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque and his mother Ashiamma was a housewife.Kalam was the youngest of five siblings, he persevered with his education despite his underprivileged circumstances. In the year 1954, Kalam graduated with a degree in physics from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli. As he was fascinated in aeronautics, he joined Madras Institute of Technology to specialize in aerospace engineering. In 1958 Kalam joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and in 1969 he moved to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he was appointed as the project director of the SLV-III, the first satellite launch vehicle that was both designed and produced in India. In 1982, Kalam planned the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, which produced a number of successful missiles. Among them was Agni, India’s first intermediate-range ballistic missile, which incorporated aspects of the SLV-III; which was first launched in 1989. In 1998 he was one of the chief coordinators of the Pokhran-II series of nuclear tests, which was executed at Pokhran of Rajasthan state. His prominent role in the country’s nuclear weapons tests solidified India as a nuclear power and established Kalam as a national hero. During 1999 – 2001 periods Kalam played a key role in the government’s weaponization of missile systems.

In 2002 India’s ruling alliance NDA put forward Kalam to succeed outgoing President K. R. Narayanan. Kalam’s candidature was also supported by the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress. Kalam easily defeated former revolutionary leader Lakshmi Sahgal. In July 2002, Kalam was sworn in as India’s 11th president and left President’s office at the end of his term in 2007. After returning to civilian life, Kalam remained dedicated to using science and technology to transform India into a developed country. He served as a visiting professor at several campuses of the Indian Institute of Management. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the founding chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (Thiruvananthapuram). On July 27, 2015, while he was addressing students at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Kalam collapsed and was declared dead due to a cardiac arrest. Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam was cremated at Pei Karumbu, Rameswaram, in Tamil Nadu.