Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam – The Missile Man of India

“FAILURE will never overtake me if my definition to SUCCEED is strong enough”.

Who Was A.P.J. Abdul Kalam? 

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was an aerospace scientist who joined India's defense department after graduating from the Madras Institute of Technology. He was a central figure in the development of the country's nuclear capabilities and was hailed as a national hero after a series of successful tests in 1998. Kalam served as India's president for one term from 2002 to 2007, and died of a heart attack on July 27, 2015.(source:Biography.com)

Family History and Early Life :-

Smiling face of late former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam with Childhood Photo

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen AbdulKalam was born on 15 October 1931 to a Tamil Muslim family in tge piligimage center of Rameshwaram on Pamban Island, then in the Madras Presidency and now in the State of Tamil Nadu. His father Jainulabdeen was a boat owner and imam of a local Mosqu; his mother Ashiamma was a housewife.He developed an early fascination with flight by watching birds, which developed into an interest in aeronautics after he saw a newspaper article about a British fighter plane.

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of five siblings, the eldest was a sister, namely Asim Zohra and three elder brothers, namely Mohammed Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraikayar, Mustafa Kalam and Kasim Mohammed. He was close to his family and always helps them, though he remained a bachelor whole life.

His ancestors had been wealthy traders and landowners, with numerous properties and large tracts of land. They trade groceries between the mainland and the island to and from Srilanka and also ferrying the pilgrims from mainland to the Pamban Island. So,their family got the title "Mara Kalam Iyakkivar" (wooden boat steerers) and later known as "Marakier."

Education:-

After Completing his schooling at the Rameshwaram Elementry School, Kalam went on to attend Saint Joseph's College Tiruchirappalli, affiliated with the University of Madras,from where he gratuated in Physics in 1954.

Towards the end of course,he was not enthusiastic about the subject and would later regret the four years he studied it. He then moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace engineering.Becoming a fighter pilot was a "dearest dream" but he failed to realise it as he bagged the ninth position when only eight slots available in the IAF(Indian Air Force).

Career as a Scientist:-    

After graduating from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Estiblishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (by Press Information Bureau, Government of India) as a scientist after becoming a member of theDefense Research & Development Service(DRDS).

Kalam started his career by designing a small helicopter for the Indian Army, but remain unconvinced with the choice of his job at DRDO.
Kalam was also part of the INCOSPAR committee working under Vikram Sarabhai,the renowned space scientist.In 1969, Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) where he was the project director of India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III)which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980; Kalam had first started work on an expandable rocket project independently at DRDO in 1965.In 1969, Kalam received the government's approval and expanded the programme to include more engineers.                

Returning to the DRDO as director in 1982, Kalam implemented the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. He then became the senior scientific adviser to India's defense minister in 1992, a position he used to campaign for the development of nuclear tests.

Rise to the Presidency :-    

Kalam served as the 11th President of India, succeeding K.R. Narayanan.He won the 2002 predidential election with an electoral vote of 922,884, surpassing the 107,366 votes won by Lakshmi Sahgal. His term lasted from 25 July 2002 to 25 July 2007.

Post Presidency :-         

After leaving office in 2007, Kalam became a visiting professor at several universities. He formed the "What Can I Give Movement" in 2011 with the goal of creating a compassionate society, and in 2012, his efforts to improve healthcare led to the release of a tablet for medical personnel to use in remote areas.

Death :-
On 27 July 2015, Kalam travelled to Shillong to deliver a lecture on "Creating a Livable Planet Earth" at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong.While climbing a flight of stairs, he experienced some discomfort, but was able to enter the auditorium after a brief rest.At around 6:35 p.m. IST, only five minutes into his lecture, he collapsed.He was rushed to the nearby Bethany Hospital in a critical condition; upon arrival, he lacked a pulse or any other signs of life^.Despite being placed in the intensive care unit, Kalam was confirmed dead of a sudden cardiac arrest at 7:45 p.m IST.His last words, to his aide Srijan Pal Singh,were reportedly: "Funny guy! Are you doing well?"

Awards:-

BOOKS

Thank you

Sources: Wikipedia,biography.com,Jagranjosh etc.