A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
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."
| A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | |
|---|---|
| |
| Birth Name | Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam |
| Born | October 15, 1931 |
| Origin | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political Party | Independent |
| Constituency | N/A (President) |
| Office | 11th President of India |
| Term Start | July 25, 2002 |
| Term End | July 25, 2007 |
| Predecessor | K. R. Narayanan |
| Successor | Pratibha Patil |
| Website | Memorial Website |
Early Life
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.
Scientific Career
ISRO and DRDO
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).
Missile Development
As Director of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), he led the development of:
- Prithvi - Surface-to-surface missile
- Agni - Ballistic missile
- Trishul - Surface-to-air missile
- Nag - Anti-tank missile
- Akash - Medium-range SAM
Pokhran-II
Kalam was a key figure in India's nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998.
Presidency (2002-2007)
Elected as the 11th President of India with overwhelming support, Kalam was known for:
- Connecting with youth and students
- Advocating for India to become a developed nation by 2020
- Simplicity and accessibility
- Regular interactions with school children
Later Years
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.
Publications
- Wings of Fire (autobiography, 1999)
- India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium (1998)
- Ignited Minds (2002)
- Indomitable Spirit (2006)
Awards
- Bharat Ratna (1997)
- Padma Vibhushan (1990)
- Padma Bhushan (1981)
- Honorary doctorates from 40+ universities
Legacy
Kalam is remembered as:
- An inspirational figure for Indian youth
- A humble and accessible leader
- A visionary scientist and statesman
- The "People's President"