biography of a p j abdul kalam

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was an Indian scientist and politician who served his country as president from 2002 to 2007.

(1931–2015)

Who Was A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?

Quick facts, early years, rise to the presidency, death and legacy.

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.

FULL NAME: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam BORN: October 15, 1931 DIED: July 27, 2015 BIRTHPLACE: Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, India SCHOOLS: Madras Institute of Technology, St. Joseph's College ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Leo

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born into a Muslim family on October 15, 1931, on the island of Dhanushkodi off the southeastern coast of India. 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.

Despite his modest beginnings – his dad built and rented boats – Kalam was a bright student who showed promise in science and mathematics. He attended St. Joseph's College and went on to earn a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology.

His hopes of becoming a fighter pilot were dashed when he narrowly missed out on a spot with the Indian Air Force. Kalam instead joined the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as a senior scientific assistant in 1958. After moving to the newly formed Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969, he was named project director of the SLV-III, the first satellite launch vehicle designed and produced on Indian soil.

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.

Kalam was a key figure in the May 1998 Pokhran-II tests, in which five nuclear devices were detonated in the Rajasthan Desert. Although the tests resulted in condemnation and economic sanctions from other world powers, Kalam was hailed as a national hero for his staunch defense of the country’s security.

In 2002, India's ruling National Democratic Alliance helped Kalam win an election against Lakshmi Sahgal and become India's 11th president, a largely ceremonial post. Known as the People's President, Kalam set a goal of conducting 500,000 one-on-one meetings with young people over the course of his five-year term. His immense popularity led to him being nominated by MTV for a Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003 and 2006.

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.

On July 27, 2015, Kalam suffered a massive heart attack while lecturing at the Indian Institute of Management and subsequently died at the age of 83.

Kalam was laid to rest on July 30 with full state honors in his native Tamil Nadu. In honor of the scientist and former president, the southeast Indian state government of Tamil Nadu created a "Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award," which recognizes exceptional individuals who promote the sciences, students and humanities. The government has also established Kalam's birthday (October 15) as "Youth Renaissance Day." Discussion about building a large-scale memorial at his burial site is underway.

Among his many accolades, including honorary doctorates from 40 universities, he was granted the Padma Bhushan (1981), the Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997) — India's highest civilian awards — for his contributions in modernizing government defense technology. He also wrote several books, including the autobiography Wings of Fire in 1999.

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A. p. j. abdul kalam wiki, age, death, wife, family, biography & more.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, famously known as Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (1931-2015) was a pre-eminent Indian aerospace scientist and the 11th President of India who took the course of Indian technological advancement to unprecedented heights. Born and brought up in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalam worked closely at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the two most prestigious space research centres in India. His contribution to nation-building through his unique technological envision made him earn the title ‘The Missile Man of India’. As a Statesman, he was popular as ‘The People’s President’ for his humble and easily reachable attitude toward the common people. Recipient of all the three highest civilian honours of India, Kalam, in his later years, worked as a teacher and took his last breath on 27 July 2015, while delivering a lecture at IIM (Indian Institute of Management) in Shillong, Meghalaya. He died of cardiac arrest.

Table of Contents

Wiki/Biography

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on Thursday, 15 October 1931 ( age 83 years; at the time of death ) in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu (then in the Madras Presidency of British India). His zodiac sign is Libra. He grew up in a poverty-stricken Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram, even though his ancestors were wealthy traders who were in ferry business before the construction of the Pamban bridge in 1914 which was responsible for the failure of the fortune of Kalam’s family business.

Abdul Kalam’s ancestral house in Rameswaram

After completing his secondary education at Schwartz Higher Secondary School Rameswaram, he pursued a B.Sc Physics degree at St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, and graduated in 1954. Later, he moved to Madras in 1955 and proceeded to an Aerospace Engineering degree at Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), which he completed in 1960. Meanwhile, he prepared for the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the position of fighter pilot, his childhood dream that was lost by a narrow margin of one rank. With the attitude of turning this disappointment into glory, he decided to make planes if not fly them, and became a member of DRDS (Defence Research & Development Service), finally launching his career as a rocket engineer.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 4″

Hair Colour:  Grey

Eye Colour:  Black

Dr. Kalam belonged to a Tamil Muslim family with his ancestors being Marakayar traders, having descended from the Arab traders and inhabiting the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

Parents & Siblings

Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma was a homemaker, and his father, Jainulabdeen Marakayar, was an imam (an Islamic leadership position) at a local mosque and a boat owner which he used as a ferry business, taking up the Hindu pilgrims who visited Rameshwaram to the famous uninhabited Dhanushkodi, a spot mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He had four siblings, three brothers and one sister. He was the youngest of all. Sister Asim Zohra (d.1997) was the eldest, followed by Mohammed Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraikayar (5 November 1916- 7 March 2021), Mustafa Kalam (d.1999), and Kasim Mohammed (d.1995).

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s elder brother Mohammed Muthu Meera

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam talking to his elder brother Mohammed Muthu Meera

Wife & Children

Kalam was never married and had no children.

Religion/Religious Views

Kalam was very deeply connected to spirituality, and his concept of God was deprived of religious biases. Despite being born into a Muslim family and offering daily namaz (prayers performed by Muslims), Kalam used to visit the holy Ramanathaswamy temple. (( TOI )) He had read the holy books of many religions to conclude that every religion’s ultimate essence is faith in the divine power that resides in freedom and compassion towards all. In his autobiographical book ‘Wings of Fire’, he talked about his views on religion and said,

I have always been a religious person in the sense that I maintain a working partnership with God. I was aware that the best work required more ability than I possessed and therefore I needed help that only God could give me. I made a true estimate of my ability, then raised it by 50 percent and put myself in God’s hands. In this partnership, I have always received all the power I needed, and have felt it flowing through me. Today, I can affirm that the kingdom of God is within you in the form of this power, to achieve your goals and realize your dreams.”

Some sources claim that Kalam belonged to the Maracair caste, the fishermen caste in the Muslim community. (( The Wire ))

Kalam’s House

12/7 Mosque Street,  Rameswaram , Tamil Nadu 623526

House of Kalam in Rameswaram

Abdul Kalam’s ancestral house is now turned into a Museum where his books, souvenirs, medals, and pictures of his journey are displayed. There is also a shop on the second floor for visitors to buy books, keyrings, etcetera, as souvenirs. Rs. 5 is charged to access the House of Kalam. His last residing residence was in Delhi at 10 Rajaji Marg.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s residence at 10 Rajaji, Marg, New Delhi

Signature/Autograph

Signature of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

After completing his Aerospace Engineering degree at MIT, Dr. Kalam became a member of DRDS in 1960, right after which he joined as a scientist in DRDO’s (Defence Research & Development Organisation) Aeronautical Development Establishment, where he designed a hovercraft. Since he wasn’t satisfied with his work at DRDS, he joined INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) as a rocket engineer and also worked setting up a rocket launching station at Thumba (now TERLS). In 1969, he was recruited to ISRO after being interviewed by the first director, H. G. S. Murthy, of Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), the Indian spaceport operated by ISRO. He was one of the members of the team led by Vikram Sarabhai whose vision was to build indigenous rockets and launch vehicles.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam holding a satellite model

Contribution to the Development of Satellite Launch Vehicles

Doctor Kalam gave India its first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV). In the very first year of ISRO’s establishment, Kalam was selected as the project director to develop indigenous rockets and Satellite Launch Vehicles, and after putting in hard work for more than 10 years, he met with success on 18 July 1980 when SLV-III was successfully launched from Sriharikota range, placing Rohini satellite into the low earth orbit. (( ISRO )). Until the late 1990s, he actively participated in making the SLVs better and successfully developed PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and SLV-III projects. In an interview with The New York Times, he mentioned,

I am completely indigenous!” (( The New York Times ))

Contribution to the Development of Ballistic Missiles

Doctor Kalam’s fame as the ‘Missile Man of India’ rests upon his dedicated efforts to build ballistic missiles. Initially, he directed Project Devil and Project Valiant in the 1970s. He led the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) mission in 1982-83 with the support of R. Venkataraman (then defence minister), which paved the way for a series of missiles beginning with Agni (Agni I, II, III) and Prithvi (Prithvi I, II, III). (( The Hindu )) He is also actively associated with the development of the Nag Missile, which started in 1988 and was successfully tested in 1997, 2000, and 2008. (( The Times Of India )) Akash, Trishul, and BrahMos added more fame to his name in his later years as a scientist. Trishul made its first successful flight in 1989. Akash was first tested in 1990 and is active today. BrahMos was first tested in 2001 and continues to empower the nation’s defence technology with enhanced testing even today. (( The Economic Times )). Later, he created a Research Centre Imarat in 1988, a DRDO lab researching and developing advanced technologies for guided weapons, missile systems, and avionics.

Contribution to Nuclear Development

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam had a vision of transforming India into a nuclear weapon state because he believed that ”strength respects strength” and strength and peace go together. Unless we are strong we cannot bring peace.”(( The Economic Times )). He wanted to make India a nuclear-powered nation so that it could defend itself from external threats. He did not intend to support destruction with its use by any means. This can be sensed in his famous speech” My Vision For India” in which he said,

In 3000 years of our history people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, and conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards, the Greeks, the Turks, the Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours. Yet we have not done this to any other nation…We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, and their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why? Because we respect the freedom of others.” (( My Vision for India Speech ))”

Kalam’s desire to make India a full-fledged nuclear power bore fruits just after he was appointed as the Secretary of DRDO and the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Indian Prime Minister in July 1992. The nuclear testing of PokhranII between 1992 and 1999 made him a national hero. In 1998, the detonation of five nuclear devices in Pokhran’s northwestern desert made him an international celebrity. Many nations, especially the superpowers, condemned this secret nuclear testing by India, making it an issue of international concern. The 2018 Indian movie Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran is based on this event.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2nd from right) as a Chief Scientific Advisor to the P.M., showing a victory sign along with the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Defence Minister George Fernandes, and head of the Department of Atomic Energy R. Chidambaram in 1998 in Shakti 1 test site of Pokhran

Contribution to Health Department

With the help of cardiologist Soma Raju, he made two remarkable contributions to the Indian health department. First, by making a coronary stent, known as the ‘Kalam-Raju stent,’ that came under a cost-effective price for patients. Second, by designing a rugged tablet (computers designed for rough use and have better performance) that administers health care much faster and better. This became famous as the ‘Kalam-Raju tablet.’

President of India

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was the first scientist-turned-President of India who took the Presidency on 25 July 2002 as the 11th President of India and held this position until the completion of the five-year tenure on 25 July 2007. Nominated by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on 10 June 2002, his aura was so powerful that he was fully supported by opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party and the Indian National Congress. His win was marked by a huge difference of 815,518 electoral votes from his competitor Lakshmi Sahgal. His electoral votes were 922,884, while Lakshmi’s was 107,366. He succeeded Kocheril Raman Narayanan and was preceded by Pratibha Patil, the first woman President of India.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was sworn in as the 11th President of India by the then Chief Justice of India B N Kirpal at the central hall of Parliament in New Delhi on 25 July 2002

He was a man of utmost modesty and compassion, which made him earn the popular nickname ‘The People’s President.’ It is believed that during his tenure, any common man could easily meet Kalam, and he would empathetically listen to solve the problems of the public to his utmost capacity with his vision to create a perfect country.

Contributions as President

• He promoted India’s technological advancement, and nuclear development program and launched programs to promote scientific research as the head of the state.

When the women are empowered, society with stability gets assured” (( Speech ))

• In 2006, he became the first President to use the power of Suspension Veto under Article 111, rejecting the ‘Office-of-Profit’ or (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill 2006. (( Business Standard )) However, he had to ultimately sign it when returned. He mentioned signing this Bill as one of his toughest decisions. The Bill exempted 56 posts from the list of offices of profit which led to disqualification of those who held these offices.
• He worked to diminish the rural-urban divide by starting PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas).

Post his presidential tenure, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam returned to civil life as a teacher. Continuing to ignite the flame of transforming India through science and technology, he interacted the most with the youth of the country in his later years. He once mentioned that if people remember him as a teacher, that would be the greatest honour for him. His interactions with the students at various schools and universities remain among the most-searched videos on YouTube for motivation. He was dearly called ‘Kalam Chacha’ by students, showing his close association with the hearts of the children of India. He died while delivering a lecture at IIM, Shillong. His famous call to the young ones in his poem ‘Song of Youth’ expresses his spirit as a teacher.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam playing with children

Kalam was a huge fan of art and literature. He wrote many books and used to give 2 hours daily to writing his thoughts. During his tenure, he has authored various poems and books. His famous books are-

• Wings of Fire: An Autobiography
• India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium
• Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India
• The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse and Colours
• Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life
• Mission of India: A Vision of Indian Youth
• Inspiring Thoughts: Quotation Series
• You Are Born to Blossom: Take My Journey Beyond
• The Scientific India: A Twenty-First Century Guide to the World Around Us
• Failure to Success: Legendry Lives
• Target 3 Billion
• You are Unique: Scale New Heights by Thoughts and Actions
• Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges
• Indomitable Spirit
• Spirit of India
• Thoughts for Change: We Can Do It
• My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions
• Governance for Growth in India
• Manifesto for Change
• Forge Your Future: Candid, Forthright, Inspiring
• Beyond 2020: A Vision for Tomorrow’s India
• The Guiding Light: A Selection of Quotations from My Favourite Books
• Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future
• The Family and the Nation
• Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji

Kalam’s Quotes

Some of his famous quotes are:

“Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.”

“If you salute your duty, you need not salute anybody. But if you pollute your duty, you have to salute everybody”

“Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place – the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life.”

“Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in the second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.”

Controversy

Criticism of pokhran ii.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was criticised by K Santhanam, the site director of Pokaran II, for calling the tests a ‘failure’ because Kalam gave a false report of them. This was also backed by Homi Sethna, a former top atomic boss.

APJ Abdul Kalam was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1981 by the President of India

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, receiving Padma Vibhushan in 1990 by the President of India

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam received the Bharat Ratna from the President of India in 1997

• Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration – 1997
• Veer Savarkar Award – 1998
• Von Braun Award by National Space Society – 2013

Dr. Kalam has been honoured by more than 30 universities. Some of the famous ones are-

• King Charles II Medal by Royal Society – 2007
• Hoover Medal by ASME Foundation, USA – 2009
• Doctor of Science by Edinburgh University (U.K.) – 2014

Assets & Properties

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam died of cardiac arrest on 27th July 2015 in Shillong (Meghalaya), where at the Indian Institute of Management, he was scheduled to deliver a lecture on ‘Creating a Livable Planet Earth’. He felt a slight ache while climbing the stairs but overcame it and reached the auditorium. Five minutes after the beginning of the lecture at around 6:35 p.m., he fainted and was declared dead at the nearby Bethany hospital at around 7:45 p.m. His last words were “Funny guy!! Are you doing well?,” which he uttered to Srijan Pal Singh, his Officer-on-Special-Duty and a leading youth activist in India.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam with Srijan Pal Singh to whom he uttered his last words

His body was carried by an IAF helicopter on 28 July to Delhi’s Palam Air Base, where wreaths were laid on his body by the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, and Chief Minister of Delhi and the three chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces. His body was then carried to his then-Delhi residence at 10 Rajaji Marg, where many dignitaries offered him homage. His body, wrapped in the Indian National Flag was taken to Mandapam from Palam Air Base on 29th July 2015 in a C-130J aircraft and was then shifted in an army vehicle to Rameswaram, where his body was displayed opposite the local bus stand of Rameswaram for the public to pay their last respect till 8 p.m. It was then handed over to his family members to conduct some ceremonies at his ancestral house in Pallivasal Street, and a few in the local mosque. His funeral ceremony was held on 30 July 2015 at Pei Karumbu which is 1 km away from his hometown Rameshwaram. A memorial has been built at this burial site.

President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s elder brother Mohammed Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraikayar along with other family members paid last respects to him in Rameswaram

• Food:  Sambar Rice cooked by his mother along with coconut chutney
• Books: Light From Many Lamps edited by Lillian Eichler Watson, Thirukural written by Thiruvalluvar, Man the Unknown by Alexis Carrel
• Poets: T.S. Eliot, Lewis Carroll, William Butler Yeats
• Music: Indian classical music

Facts/Trivia

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary, 15 October, is celebrated as the World Students’Day.
• Many prestigious awards and institutions are named after him to promote research and technology in India.
• As a young 10-year-old boy, Kalam worked as a newspaper vendor in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to financially support his family. He used to do this before his school hours. (( PIB ))
• His love for literature and mathematics was right from his childhood when he would borrow books from his brother’s friends. His main possessions also included books.
• As a schoolboy, he was once asked to sit at the backbench by his teacher who held hatred for the Muslim community. Abdul, who used to wear ‘Taqiyah,’ and his Hindu friend, Ramanadha, who used to wear the sacred Hindu thread, used to sit together. A teacher once asked Abdul to sit on the last bench. This teacher was later condemned by Ramanadha’s father who was the highest priest of Rameswaram temple and Abdul’s father’s best friend. (( The Times Of India ))
• In 1958, when he failed to qualify for the interview for IAF in Dehradun, shattered Kalam took a bus to Rishikesh, where he met a Sadhu who told him that he was predestined for something bigger than this. Kalam later referred to the Sadhu as his ‘Guru.’ (( The Times Of India ))

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam playing the Veena for relaxation in the Family Wing of Rashtrapati Bhavan

• He did not like India to be known as a developing nation.’

Whenever a complex national decision was to be made, these two huts were where I sat and thought. Of course, the inspiration for many poems also came while I was there,”

• As a representative of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Abdul Kalam was invited by Raja Ramanna to witness “Operation Smiling Buddha,” India’s first nuclear test in Pokhran in 1974.
• He played a pioneering role in developing fibreglass technology and was also closely associated with the functioning of the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment(SASE).
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was one of the members of the first team of rocket engineers that formed INCOSPAR. He joined this after not being satisfied with his job at DRDO.
• To show his transparency in public life, he paid the bill of  Rs. 9.52 lakh for the 9-day stay of his 52 family members at Rashtrapati Bhawan who visited during his tenure.
• A huge controversy was spurred when a Bhagavad Gita’s copy was placed next to his statue at the Dr.  A. P. J. Abdul Kalam National Memorial in Rameswaram. Kalam’s relatives kept other holy books, the Koran and Bible next to the Hindu Gita arguing that Dr. Kalam had no biases for any religion. This enraged the Hindu Makka Katchi nationalist party.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam undertaking a historic sortie in Su-30MKI on 9 June 2006

• Kalam believed that science education should be conducted in the mother tongue of the students. (( The Hindu )).

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APJ Abdul Kalam Biography: Inventions, Achievements, Death Date, Quotes, Full Name, Education & other details

Apj abdul kalam death anniversary is being observed on july 27. know more about apj abdul kalam's  inventions, death date, achievements, education, early life, family and other details. .

APJ Abdul Kalam Biography: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was an Indian aerospace scientist who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born on October 15, 1931,  raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied Physics and aerospace engineering. APJ Abdul Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India in 2002 with the support of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the then opposition Indian National Congress party. Also referred to as ‘People’s President’, APJ Abdul Kalam returned to his civilian life of education, writing, and public service after serving only one term.

APJ Abdul Kalam as a Scientist

After graduating from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, APJ Abdul Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist after becoming a member of the Defence Research and Development Service. He started his career by designing a small hovercraft, however, remained unconvinced by his job at DRDO.

In 1969, APJ Abdul Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) where he was the project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980.

APJ Abdul Kalam was also invited by Raja Ramanna to witness the country’s first nuclear test, Smiling Buddha, as the representative of TBRL, even though he had not participated in its development.

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India , World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App .

• What is the full form of APJ in APJ Abdul Kalam? + Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam is the full name of Dr. Kalam.
• Why is Dr. APJ Abdul kalam is known as the Missile Man of India? + APJ Abdul Kalam is known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology.
• Where was Dr. APJ Abdul kalam born? + Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1981 to a Tamil Muslim Family in the pilgrimage center of Rameswaram on Pamban Island.
• What are the other names given to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam? + APJ Abdul Kalam is also known as "People's President" and "Missile Man of India".
• Why is Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam famous? + Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is the Indian scientist who played a leading role in the development of India's missile and nuclear weapon programs.
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APJ Abdul Kalam Biography: Inventions, Achievements, Death Date, Quotes, Full Name, Education & other details

Avul Plair Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam widely known as India’s Missile Man. He was India’s 11th President as well as an aerospace scientist. For five years, he served as India’s President (2002-2007) He was instrumental in the development of India’s nuclear and missile programmes. 

Table of Contents

• Biography  

Education and Struggles

Apj abdul kalam as a scientist, awards and achievements.

• Books he wrote and dedicated to him.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Biography

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the eleventh President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007. He was born on May 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics as well as aeronautical engineering. In 2002, APJ Abdul Kalam was chosen as India’s 11th President, Having backing from both the ruling Bharatiya Janata as well as the opposing Indian National Congress After his one tenure as President, APJ Abdul Kalam resumed civilian life in teaching, writing, and public service.

Kalam was extremely earnest and diligent in his studies, but his teachers recognised him as having a tremendous desire to study. He finished his secondary studies at Ramanathapuram’s Schwartz Secondary School. In 1955, he graduated from Saint Joseph’s College at Tiruchirappalli with a diploma in physics. He subsequently went to Madras to further his education, graduating from the Engineering And Technology Institute with a diploma in aircraft engineering. His dream of becoming a military pilot was crushed when the IAF only had eight slots available, and he finished ninth. Following graduation, he worked as a scientist for the “Defense Research Service” and the “Aeronautical Development Establishment.”

On graduation from the University of Madras in 1960, APJ Abdul Kalam returned to the Defence Research and Development organisation Organisation as a scientist (DRDO). He began his career by creating a tiny hovercraft, however his position with the DRDO did not persuade him. APJ Abdul Kalam was moved to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969 as the project head of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle, which successfully launched the Rohini satellite into relatively near orbit in July 1980.

Raja Ramanna also invited APJ Abdul Kalam to see the country’s first nuclear test, Laughing Buddha, as the spokesman of TBRL. However, he had never participated in its development.

Sir Kalam was the rightful 11th Indian President. His presidency lasted from July 25, 2002, to July 25, 2007. He was elected with a huge margin of victory in a presidential election in 2002. The National Democratic Alliances’ nomination for President was endorsed by the Samajwadi Party and the National Congress Party. He was often referred to as the people’s President because of his numerous contributions to the well-being of the people and the country. He was daring and brave enough to make and implement difficult, delicate, or contentious judgments. Perhaps the most difficult Act he had to sign was the “office of profit.” Under the English Settlement Act of 1701 in 1701, the “office of profit” indicates that no one individual who is a professional setup process underneath the royal family or who has any arrangement with or is receiving a pension from the prince does have the ability to work for the “House of Commons.” This will give the royal family no influence on administrative conditions.

Kalam received several honours during his lifetime. In 1981, he was granted the “Padma Bhusan,” the Republic of India’s third-highest civilian honour. Then, in 1990, he was granted the Padma Vibhushan, the Republic of India’s second-highest civilian honour.

 In 1997, the Indian government awarded Abdul Kalam the “Bharat Ratna,” the Republic of India’s highest civilian honour, in addition to the “Indira Gandhi Award of National Integration” even by “Indian National Congress,” which is named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The following year, in 1998, he was given the “Veer Savarkar Award.” The SASTRA “Ramanujan Award” was bestowed to him in 2000. In 2007, he was awarded the “King Charles II Medal” by the United Kingdom for his contributions to scientific advancements in India. In 2009, he was awarded the “Hoover Medal,” an American honour awarded to outstanding persons who make extracurricular efforts.

Books he wrote

In his lifetime, he published several works, including Agni ki Udaan (1999), India 2020 (1998), Ignited Minds (2002), Naa Jeevana Gamanam (2013), Turning Points: A Journey Across Difficulties (2012), Indominate Spirit (2006), and You Are Born To Blossom (2007). (2008). You can include them in the APJ Abdul Kalam Essay and some other writers. They have devoted books to him, including APJ Abdul Kalam by Arun Tiwari and Advantage of India by Srijan Pal Singh.

Shillong, Meghalaya, on July 27, 2015.

The day we left a man who desired a miracle for India’s youth was a bad day for India. He falls inside the lecture hall only 5 minutes into it, about 6:35 p.m. In critical condition, he was brought to ‘Bethany Hospital.’ He was maintained in the intensive-care unit but showed no signs of life, and he was certified dead at 7:45 p.m. because of cardiac arrest.

APJ Abdul Kalam is a very kind-hearted individual who generously performed many things for India. He is indeed the reason we have nuclear weapons today. He not only became President & did a lot of good for India, but he also made a significant contribution to missile history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the General Awareness.

Q1. What are your thoughts on APJ Abdul Kalam?

Q2. which honour is not granted to abdul kalam, q3. what was the reason for abdul kalam's death, q4. abdul kalam was born in which country, q5. which island is named after dr a.p.j. abdul kalam.

Answer: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was a former Indian President and a well-known Indian scientist. He was also involved in India’s Space & Missile Development Program, earning him the moniker “Missile Man of India.”

Answer: Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam does not get the Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award. Kalam was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1997, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990, and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. (1981).

Answer: Dr Abdul Kalam died on July 27, 2015, at 83, while giving a lecture at Indian Institute Shillong in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam fell and died after a heart attack.

Answer: Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. He was born into a Muslim household.

Answer: Dr Abdul Kalam Island, located in Odisha, is today known as Wheeler Island. The island is located around 150 kilometres east of Bhubaneshwar, the state capital of Odisha.

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Dr. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

15 October, 1931 – 27 July, 2015

Born on 15 th October 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, DR AVUL PAKIR JAINULABDEEN ABDUL KALAM, specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from M adras Institute of Technology(MIT) . DR ABDUL KALAM made significant contribution as project director to develop India’s first indigenous satellite launch vehicle {SLV-3} which successfully injected the Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit in july 1980 and made India an exclusive member of space club. He was responsible for the evolution of ISRO’S launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration. After working for two decades in ISRO and mastering launch vehicle technologies,  DR. KALAM took up the responsibility of developing indigenous guided missiles at D efense Re search and De velopment O rganization (DRDO) as the Chief Executive of integrated guided missile development programme. He was responsible for the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI missiles and for building indigenous capability in critical technologies through networking of multiple institutions . He was the scientific advisor to defense minister and secretary , department of defense research and development from July 1992 to December 1999. During this period, he led to the weaponisation of strategic missile systems and the pokharan-2 nuclear tests in collaboration with the department of atomic energy, which made India a nuclear weapon state. He also gave thrust to self reliance in defense systems by programming multiple development tasks and mission projects such as Light Combat Aircraft. As chairman of Technology Information Forecasting and Aassessments council and as an eminent scientist, he led the country with the help of 500 experts to arrive at technology vision 2020 giving a road map for transforming India from the present developing status to a developed nation. DR ABDUL KALAM has served as the principal scientific advisor to the GOVERNMENT OF INDIA in the rank of cabinet minister, from November 1999-2001 and was responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for many development applications. DR KALAM was also the chairman, EX-officer of the scientific advisory committee to the cabinet { SAC-C} and piloted India Millennium Mission 2020.

DR ABDUL KALAM took up academic pursuit as professor, technology and societal transformation at ANNA UNIVERSITY, Chennai from November 2001 and was involved in teaching and research tasks. Above all he took up a mission to ignite the young minds for national development by meeting high school students across the country.  In his literary pursuit his books like “ W ings of F ire” “India 2020- a vision for new millennium”  “my journey” and “ignited minds- unleashing the power within India “ have become household names in India and among the Indian nationals abroad. These books have been translated in many Indian languages. In 2015 he was particularly working for SPACE SOLAR POWER at global level along with WORLD KNLOWLEDGE PLATFORM.

DR ABDUL KALAM is one of the most distinguished scientists of India with the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 48 universities all over the world. He has been awarded the coveted civilian awards- Padma Bhusan {1981} and Padma Vibhusan {1990} and the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna  {1997}. He has also received the King Charles-2 medal {2007}, the Woodrow Wilson award {2008}, the Hoover award {2008} and the International Von Karman Wings Award  Widespread {2009} among other international accolades.  Recognition  coupled with his extensive national service, made DR ABDUL KALAM a popular choice for high office, and he became the 11 th president of India in 2002. His popularity has endured and he is still  affectionately called the People’s President for bridging the gap between high office and common people.  His focus and the greatest ambition remains finding ways to transform India into a developed nation.  

As an elder statesman, he was in the Public eye for his role in offering counsel, reaching out to people and building bridges across religious and social divides. DR ABDUL KALAM’S focus was ever on transforming  India into a developed nation by 2020 and to this end he continued to travel across the country for his teaching assignments at IITs and IIMs, to address conferences and to meet students and people from all walks of life.

He passed away at one such lecture he had gone to deliver of Shillong on 27 July 2015. His message and influence continue to resonate with people across the country, and in all walks of life.

Books by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

1. India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium Publishing year: 1998

2. Wings of Fire: An Autobiography Publishing year: 1999

3. Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India Publishing year: 2002

4. The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse and Colours Publishing year: 2004

5. Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life Publishing year: 2005 Co-author: Arun Tiwari

6. Mission of India: A Vision of Indian Youth Publishing year: 2005

7. Inspiring Thoughts: Quotation Series Publishing year: 2007

8. You Are Born to Blossom: Take My Journey Beyond Publishing year: 2011 Co-author: Arun Tiwari

9. The Scientific India: A Twenty First Century Guide to the World around Us Publishing year: 2011 Co-author: Y. S. Rajan

10. Failure to Success: Legendry Lives Publishing year: 2011

11. Target 3 Billion Publishing year: 2011 Co-author: ‎Srijan Pal Singh

12. You are Unique: Scale New Heights by Thoughts and Actions Publishing year: 2012 Co-author: S. Poonam Kohli

13. Turning Points: A Journey through Challenges Publishing year: 2012

14. Indomitable Spirit Publishing year: 2013

15. Spirit of India Publishing year: 2013

16. Thoughts for Change: We Can Do It Publishing year: 2013 Co-author: A. Sivathanu Pillai

17. My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions Publishing year: 2013

18. Governance for Growth in India Publishing year: 2014

19. Manifesto for Change Publishing year: 2014 Co-author: V. Ponraj

20. Forge Your Future: Candid, Forthright, Inspiring Publishing year: 2014

21. Beyond 2020: A Vision for Tomorrow’s India Publishing year: 2014

22. The Guiding Light: A Selection of Quotations from My Favourite Books Publishing year: 2015

23. Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future Publishing year: 2015 Co-author: ‎Srijan Pal Singh

24. The Family and the Nation Publishing year: 2015 Co-author: Acharya Mahapragya

25. Transcendence My Spiritual Experiences Publishing year: 2015 Co-author: Arun Tiwari