Remembering Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931. He is known as the ‘Missile Man’ of India due to his continued, successful work with ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology. Dr.Kalam became the President of the largest democracy of the world –India – on July 25, 2002. He was known as “the People’s President” because of his simple and down-to-earth attitude.

Hyderabad: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's father had only one boat to support his family. Dr. Kalam was a hardworking boy right from the beginning. At the tender age of five, he started selling newspapers to help his father support the family. He did this job in the evenings after school. Click on the video below to know more about the Missile Man:-

• Dr. Kalam was fascinated by physics and mathematics.
• Dr.Kalam completed his graduation from Saint Joseph’s College, Trichurapally in 1954. In 1955, he enrolled at the Madras Institute of Technology.
• Dr. Kalam missed an opportunity to become a fighter pilot for the Indian Air force. He was on the ninth spot on the list, and there were only eight openings. The first eight shortlisted candidates were recruited.
• In 1960, Dr. Kalam became involved with DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment.
• In 1969, Dr. Kalam was made the project director for Satellite Launch Vehicles and was shifted to ISRO. The project became successful, and India, under the directorship of Kalam. He was able to launch the Rohini satellite series into Earth’s orbit.
• Dr. Kalam is known as the ‘Missile Man’ of India due to his continued, successful work with ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology. Some interesting facts about Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:-

Remembering Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary

• Dr. Kalam also made significant contributions to the nuclear capabilities of India, the Pokhran -2 nuclear tests (in 1998).
• Dr. Kalam was honored with many awards, including the highest civilian award in the country, the Bharat Ratna (1997). His other awards include Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990).
• Interestingly, he was also honored with doctorates from 40 universities.
• Inspired by his life, a Bollywood movie was also produced with the title, I Am Kalam.
• Dr. Kalam is a source of inspiration for millions of people in India and around the world.
• Dr. Kalam became the President of the largest democracy of the world –India – on July 25, 2002. He was known as “the People’s President” because of his simple and down-to-earth attitude.
• Prez. Kalam also had a soft spot for students and children. He inspired millions of young children, answering their questions and meeting with them during his tours across the country until the day of his sad demise. He believed that children are the future of any nation.
• Dr. Kalam was frisked twice at JFK Airport in New York. He was checked for explosives by the airport staff. This incident was protested by India on the international level.
• He was once asked by a journalist how would he like to be remembered: as a scientist, a president, or a teacher. And he replied smilingly – “I want to be remembered as a teacher first and then as any other person.”
• After the term of his presidency, he became busier as a visiting professor at various institutes of management and leadership including those located at Ahmadabad, Indore, and Shillong.
• Dr. Kalam’s visit to Switzerland is commemorated as Science Day in the country. This declaration in his honor was made by the Swiss government after the sad demise of this great personality.
• Dr. Kalam wrote a great deal of poetry in Tamil and was very fond of playing a musical instrument known as the Veena.
• During his presidency, Dr. Kalam was requested to join the office again after Pratibha Patil’s term as President. However, he politely refused.
• Dr. Kalam is the first unmarried president and scientist in India.
• Dr. Kalam is among only three presidents of India who were conferred the Bharat Ratna before they were elected President.

• Kalam valued Dr. Vikram Sarabhai as his mentor. He turned to this other great scientist of Indian origin for advice and support.
• Kalam’s first major project, SLV-3, failed, and he was shattered.
• He was awarded the MTV Youth Icon award twice, in 2003 and 2006.
• On his last day, he was delivering a lecture at IIM, Shillong. He was standing at the podium delivering his speech to hundreds of students when he suffered a cardiac arrest that made him fall to the floor. He always had a passion for teaching and working hard. And at the time when death captured him, he was doing what he loved.

Sh. Narendra Modi tweeted by paying tribute to Dr. Kalam on his Jayanti. India can never forget his indelible contribution towards national development, be it as a scientist and as the President of India. His life journey gives strength to millions.

• Tributes to Dr. Kalam on his Jayanti. India can never forget his indelible contribution towards national development, be it as a scientist and as the President of India. His life journey gives strength to millions. pic.twitter.com/5Evv2NVax9

  — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Tributes to Dr. Kalam on his Jayanti. India can never forget his indelible contribution towards national development, be it as a scientist and as the President of India. His life journey gives strength to millions. pic.twitter.com/5Evv2NVax9

  — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2020

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  Tributes to Dr. Kalam on his Jayanti. India can never forget his indelible contribution towards national development, be it as a scientist and as the President of India. His life journey gives strength to millions. pic.twitter.com/5Evv2NVax9

  — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2020

• Kalam also acted as a scientific advisor to the government
• He donated his presidential salary to charity. He formed a trust named PURA (Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas) and donated his salaries to this trust.
• He also refused to sit on special chairs during events because he was a humble man and always promoted equality.

• Kalam started his career as a boy selling newspapers and became the president of the world’s largest democracy.
• He also pursued and envisioned many things during the course of his life, transforming and inspiring millions of people both locally and globally.
• Kalam would take the sole blame for losses and setbacks but gave all credit to his team when they achieved anything under his leadership. Such were the qualities of the “Missile Man.”
• He also published his autobiography, Wings of Fire, which was co-authored with Arun Tiwari. It gives a detailed account of his childhood, his personal life, and his career; it has been translated into 13 languages including French and Chinese.
• And he was an avid reader and writer. He authored no less than 15 books on various topics, including nuclear physics and spiritual experiences.

• Books by the remarkable ex-president APJ Abdul Kalam:
• Wings of Fire [His autobiography]
• 2020-A Vision for the New Millennium
• Envisioning an Empowered Nation
• Ignited Minds
• My Journey
• Developments in Fluid Mechanics and Space Technology
• The Luminous Sparks
• The Life Tree
• Mission India
• Children Ask Kalam
• Guiding Souls
• Indomitable Spirit
• Inspiring Thoughts