Distinguished Indian scientist and statesman, known as the “Missile Man of India,” who served as India’s 11th President and played a crucial role in nuclear tests.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, also known as Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, was a distinguished Indian scientist, engineer, and statesman who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born on October 15, 1931, in Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram town and rose from humble beginnings to become one of India’s most loved and respected people. He earned the nickname “Missile Man of India” for his contributions to the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. He also played a pivotal role in India’s nuclear tests in 1998. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1997. He passed away on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong.
On his birth anniversary, which is also celebrated as World Students’ Day, let us look at some of the interesting facts about his life and achievements.
1. A voracious reader and prolific writer
Dr Kalam had a passion for reading and learning from a young age. He read books on various subjects, especially science and spirituality. He was also fond of writing and authored several books, including his autobiography Wings of Fire, which has been translated into many languages. Some of his other popular books are India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India, The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse and Colours, and Indomitable Spirit.
2. Great teacher and inspiring mentor
Dr Kalam always wanted to be remembered as a teacher. He believed that teaching was the noblest profession and that teachers had the power to shape the future of the nation. He taught at various institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science, the Anna University, and the Indian Institute of Management. He also interacted with thousands of students across the country and abroad and motivated them to dream big and work hard. He often said, “Dream is not what you see in sleep, dream is something which does not let you sleep.”
3. Devout Muslim and lover of all religions
Dr Kalam was born into a Tamil Muslim family and followed the Islamic faith throughout his life. He prayed five times a day and fasted during Ramadan. He also respected all other religions and visited various places of worship, including temples, churches, and gurudwaras. He once said, “For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool.”
4. Vegetarian and music lover
Dr Kalam was a vegetarian and advocated for a healthy lifestyle. He avoided smoking and drinking and preferred simple food like rice, dal, and curd. He also enjoyed listening to music, especially classical music. He played the veena, a stringed instrument, and admired the works of Carnatic music legends like M.S. Subbulakshmi and Balamurali Krishna.
5. Avid fan of aerospace engineering and rocketry
Dr Kalam had a fascination for aerospace engineering and rocketry since his childhood. He used to make paper planes and fly them with his friends. He also collected newspaper clippings about rockets and space missions. He pursued his dream of becoming an aerospace engineer by joining the Madras Institute of Technology in 1954. He later worked at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he made significant contributions to India’s space and defence programmes.
6. Chief architect of India’s missile program
Dr Kalam is widely regarded as the chief architect of India’s missile programme. He led the development of various missiles, such as Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul, and Nag, under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). He also oversaw the design and testing of India’s first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-3), which successfully launched Rohini satellite in 1980.
7. Scientific adviser to the Prime Minister and Defense Minister
Dr Kalam served as the scientific adviser to the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister from 1992 to 1999. During this period, he played a crucial role in India’s nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998, which established India as a nuclear-weapon state. He also initiated several projects for enhancing India’s self-reliance in defence technology, such as Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile.
8. First scientist to become President of India
Dr Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India in 2002, with the support of both the ruling and the opposition parties. He was the first scientist and the third person to become the President without any prior political experience, after Rajendra Prasad and Zakir Husain. He was also the first bachelor and the first vegetarian to occupy the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
9. People’s President and visionary leader
Dr Kalam was widely admired as a people’s President and a visionary leader. He used his office to reach out to the masses, especially the youth and the children. He visited various schools, colleges, and universities and inspired millions of students with his words of wisdom. He also launched several initiatives, such as PURA (Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas), Lead India 2020, and Billion Beats, to promote rural development, youth empowerment, and national integration.
10. Honored with numerous awards and recognitions
Dr Kalam received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding achievements and services to the nation and humanity. He was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan, and the Padma Shri, India’s highest civilian honours. He also received honorary doctorates from over 40 universities across the world. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. He was also honoured with the King Charles II Medal by the Royal Society of UK, the Hoover Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the International von Karman Wings Award by the California Institute of Technology.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was a remarkable personality who left an indelible mark on India and the world. His life and legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. On his birth anniversary, let us pay tribute to this great son of India by following his ideals and fulfilling his vision of a developed and prosperous India.
