Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam Scientist and former President of India.
“Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.” – A P J Abdul Kalam
Dr.Apj Abdul Kalam Personal BIO
| Full Name | Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam |
| Date of Birth | 15 October 1931 |
| Birth Place | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Date of Death | 27 July 2015 (Age 83) |
| Death Place | Shillong, Meghalaya, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Aerospace Scientist, Author, Teacher, Politician |
| Father’s Name | Jainulabdeen Marakayar |
| Mother’s Name | Ashiamma |
| Religion | Islami |
| Other Name | “Missile Man of India” |
Education and University :
| School Education | Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu | |
| College (Undergraduate Degree) | St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli (then affiliated with the University of Madras) | B.Sc. in Physics (1954) |
| Engineering (Specialization in Aerospace) | Engineering (Specialization in Aerospace) | 1955-1957 |
Kalam was an average student in school but had a strong desire to learn, especially in science and mathematics.
This was a turning point in his life. He was known for his dedication and hard work here.
Kalam’s passion for aerospace and flight led him to join Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and later Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he made landmark contributions.
Dr.Apj Abdul Kalam Awards :
| Year of Award | Award/Honours |
| 1981 | Padma Bhushan |
| 1990 | Padma Vibhushan |
| 1997 | Bharat Ratna |
| 1997 | Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration |
| 1998 | Veer Savarkar Award |
| 2007 | King Charles II Medal (Royal Society, UK) |
| 2014 | Doctor of Science (Edinburgh University, UK) |
Book Written by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam:
| India 2020 | A Vision for the New Millennium |
| Wings of fire | |
| Ignited minds | Unleashing the Power within India |
| Transcendence | My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji |
| A Manifesto for Change | A Sequel to India 2020 |
Presidency:
In 2002 India’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) put forward Kalam to succeed outgoing Pres. Kocheril Raman Narayanan. Kalam’s stature and popular appeal were such that he was nominated by the Hindu nationalist (Hindutva) NDA despite his being Muslim, and even the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, proposed his candidacy. Kalam easily won the vote of the electoral college, defeating former revolutionary leader Lakshmi Sahgal. He was sworn in as India’s 11th president, a largely ceremonial post, in July 2002. He left office at the end of his term in 2007 and was succeeded by Pratibha Patil, the country’s first woman president.
Career :
Before joining DRDO, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was the project leader of the indigenous Indian Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) at ISRO. His biggest achievement in ISRO came with the successful launch of SLV-3, which jettisoned Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit. In June 1982, Dr Kalam shouldered the responsibility of shaping the missile development programme. His moment of reckoning in DRDO came with the successful completition of the IGMDP. The success of the missile programme demonstrated his concept of management by partnership and the sobriquet ‘the Missile Man of India’. He later rose to became the first citizen of the country. He is still remembered as the ‘People’s President’.
Family :
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