https://encycloindia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=A.P.J._Abdul_KalamA.P.J. Abdul Kalam - Revision history2026-05-14T17:34:43ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://encycloindia.org/index.php?title=A.P.J._Abdul_Kalam&diff=398&oldid=prevAdminEncyclo: Created verified profile2026-02-09T12:37:23Z<p>Created verified profile</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox politician<br />
| name = A.P.J. Abdul Kalam<br />
| image = APJ_Abdul_Kalam.jpg<br />
| verified = yes<br />
| birth_name = Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam<br />
| birth_date = October 15, 1931<br />
| origin = Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India<br />
| nationality = Indian<br />
| party = Independent<br />
| constituency = N/A (President)<br />
| office = 11th President of India<br />
| term_start = July 25, 2002<br />
| term_end = July 25, 2007<br />
| predecessor = K. R. Narayanan<br />
| successor = Pratibha Patil<br />
| website = [https://www.abdulkalam.com Memorial Website]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam''' (October 15, 1931 – July 27, 2015), commonly known as '''A.P.J. Abdul Kalam''', was an Indian aerospace scientist and politician who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He is widely known as the "Missile Man of India" and the "People's President."<br />
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== Early Life ==<br />
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Born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to a Tamil Muslim family, Kalam came from humble beginnings. His father, Jainulabdeen, was a boat owner, and his mother, Ashiamma, was a homemaker. Despite financial difficulties, Kalam excelled in studies.<br />
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== Scientific Career ==<br />
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=== ISRO and DRDO ===<br />
<br />
Kalam joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1958 and later transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was the project director of India's first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III).<br />
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=== Missile Development ===<br />
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As Director of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), he led the development of:<br />
* '''Prithvi''' - Surface-to-surface missile<br />
* '''Agni''' - Ballistic missile<br />
* '''Trishul''' - Surface-to-air missile<br />
* '''Nag''' - Anti-tank missile<br />
* '''Akash''' - Medium-range SAM<br />
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=== Pokhran-II ===<br />
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Kalam was a key figure in India's nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998.<br />
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== Presidency (2002-2007) ==<br />
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Elected as the 11th President of India with overwhelming support, Kalam was known for:<br />
* Connecting with youth and students<br />
* Advocating for India to become a developed nation by 2020<br />
* Simplicity and accessibility<br />
* Regular interactions with school children<br />
<br />
== Later Years ==<br />
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After his presidency, Kalam returned to academics, teaching at institutions like IIM and IIT. He collapsed while delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong and passed away on July 27, 2015.<br />
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== Publications ==<br />
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* '''Wings of Fire''' (autobiography, 1999)<br />
* '''India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium''' (1998)<br />
* '''Ignited Minds''' (2002)<br />
* '''Indomitable Spirit''' (2006)<br />
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== Awards ==<br />
<br />
* Bharat Ratna (1997)<br />
* Padma Vibhushan (1990)<br />
* Padma Bhushan (1981)<br />
* Honorary doctorates from 40+ universities<br />
<br />
== Legacy ==<br />
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Kalam is remembered as:<br />
* An inspirational figure for Indian youth<br />
* A humble and accessible leader<br />
* A visionary scientist and statesman<br />
* The "People's President"<br />
<br />
[[Category:Indian politicians]]<br />
[[Category:Presidents of India]]<br />
[[Category:Indian scientists]]<br />
[[Category:Bharat Ratna recipients]]</div>AdminEncyclo