Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam better known as the "Missile Man of India" and "People's President" was one of India’s most distinguished scientists and a statesman serving as its 11th president from 2002 to 2007. He continues to be a source of inspiration for millions around the world. Learn about his humble beginnings, scientific achievements, presidency, and enduring legacy.
In Tamil Nadu, India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, a small town on October 15, 1931. Jainulabdeen, his father, owned boats while Ashiamma, his mother worked at home. Though born into poverty and struggle, the young kalam exhibited bright intelligence as well as hard work from an early age very inclined towards science and technology.
At Schwartz Higher Secondary School located in Ramanathapuram, he finished his studies. In addition to this, he had a Mathematics degree after attending Saint Joseph’s College (Tiruchirappalli) upon graduating from there in 1954/ The zeal for aeronautics prompted him to enroll for aerospace engineering at Madras Institute of Technology (MIT).
After completing the degree at MIT in 1960, he joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. But Kalam’s journey took off when he joined the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969.
ISRO appointed him to project manage India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), which successfully put the Rohini satellite into near earth orbit (NEO) in 1980. This was a major step forward for India, which carved out its place in respect to space technology. Kalam’s work at ISRO established a base upon which many of India’s rest of space programs build themselves today.
His leadership and vision were pivotal in developing Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) — both of which have now become vital parts of India’s satellite-based systems. These achievements not only showed India’s rising technical skills but also inspired one generation after another among scientists and engineers.
In the year 1982, he became the Director of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) at DRDO. Under his directorship, India made remarkable progress in missile science. He was an essential factor in developing Agni, a series of long-range ballistic missiles and Prithvi, which is a strategic surface-to-surface weapon.
Kalam earned the title “Missile Man of India” because of these missile programs’ success. However, it was not only on technological improvement that his role ranged; he also supported strategic defense measures that were creating security for India through its possibilities for the army and other forces. His foresight and unyielding chase for quality enabled India to attain self-sufficiency in important sources of protection technology while minimizing the need for assistance from abroad regarding such issues.
In 1992, the Indian government appointed Kalam to the position of Scientific Advisor for the Defence Minister, later promoting him as the Principal Scientific Advisor, a position he held until 1999. He was also heavily involved in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests that were conducted in 1998.
The tests made India a country with nuclear weapons and proved its advanced level of science globally, as they were presided over by his leadership together with Dr. R. Chidambaram. The tests were indicative of India’s technological self-sufficiency and strategic independence, notwithstanding the global sanctions that resulted from them. His leadership during this period was marked by an initial focus on homegrown products and his capability to motivate and mobilize the scientific community towards national objectives.
In 2002 when K.R. Narayanan was succeeded by APJ Abdul Kalam as the 11th President of India he was elected with support from both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition which showed that he was a man for all seasons in terms of appeal and reputation as a leader whose interest lies in developing the nation.
Kalam brought to Rashtrapati Bhavan a different brand of humility, vision and inspiration. He came to be known as the “People’s President” because of how accessible and engaging he was with citizens particularly focusing on youth people.
For him, it is the youth who hold the keys to India’s future. Therefore during his presidency he spent much time interacting with students, advising them to think big and go for greatness.
For his contributions to science, technology and public service Dr. Kalam has been accorded many awards and recognitions during his illustrious career. Some of them include the Padma Bhushan (1981), the Padma Vibhushan (1990) as well as Bharat Ratna (1997), which is the highest civilian honor in India. These awards indicate his remarkable contributions and everlasting legacy.
Conclusion
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s lifetime and his legacy serve as a source of encouragement for the citizens of India. The country’s history has been profoundly changed by his contributions to science and technology, visionary leadership, and steadfast allegiance to its development. Known as “Missile Man of India” and the “People’s President,” Kalam inspires generations through dreams that are big enough, efforts that are long-lasting, and an aspiration for supremacy.
In remembrance of Dr. Kalam we celebrate not only his various accomplishments but also his core principles in life, vision for India at large as well as a commitment towards its development across generations. His life shows that success can come through perseverance, diligence as well as single-minded devotion to perfectionism if anyone is ready to make it happen.
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