Interesting facts about Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Birth and Full Name:

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, was the youngest of five brothers. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's full name is Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam

His father, Jainulabdeen, owned a boat, and his mother, Ashiamma, was a housewife. Growing up in difficult circumstances, he helped his family by distributing newspapers at school due to financial hardships.

Education:

From a young age, Dr. Kalam was captivated by aeroplanes, rockets, and space. He attended Rameswaram Primary School and later moved to Schwartz Higher Secondary School in Ramanathapuram for his secondary education. Graduating with a degree in Physics from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, in 1954, he pursued aeronautical engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology in Madras (now Chennai) due to his passion for the aerospace industry.

Scientific Journey:

Before becoming the President of India, Dr. Kalam served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He was also associated with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and contributed significantly to space-related projects. Notably, he played a key role in the development of ISRO's launch vehicle programs, particularly the PSLV configuration.

During his tenure as the Department of Defence Research & Development's Scientific Adviser to the Secretary and Minister of Defence, from July 1992 to December 1999, Dr. Kalam worked on the weaponization of strategic missile systems and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, making India a nuclear weapon state. He also contributed to several development tasks and mission projects, promoting self-reliance in defence systems, including the Light Combat Aircraft.

From November 1999 to November 2001, Dr. Kalam served as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, where he was responsible for formulating policies and missions for various development applications. Additionally, he oversaw India Millennium Mission 2020 and acted as the ex-officio chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SAC-C).

Following his governmental service, Dr. Kalam started his academic career in November 2001 as a Professor at Anna University in Chennai, where he actively engaged in teaching, research, and inspiring young people across the nation for national advancement.

People's President

Apart from his scientific accomplishments, Dr. Kalam gained popularity for his inspirational speeches and writings, motivating especially the youth to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. During his tenure as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007, his approachable nature earned him the affectionate title of the "People's President." His passing on July 27, 2015, was a profound loss to the nation and the world.

Awards

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, known as 'India's Missile Man' and 'People's Chairman,' received honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions. He was the recipient of prestigious civilian awards, including Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), and the highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna (1997). His books like "Wings of Fire," "India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium," "My Journey," and "Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India" became renowned both in India and among Indians living abroad and have been translated into many Indian languages.