A P J ABDUL KALAM

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was an Indian scientist, engineer, and politician who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India.

Dr. Kalam was the youngest of four siblings in a Muslim family. His father was a boat owner and his mother was a homemaker. He had a difficult childhood and had to work hard to support his family.

Dr. Kalam was a brilliant student and earned a degree in physics from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, and a degree in aerospace engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology. He began his career as a scientist at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in 1958 and later joined the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969.

Dr. Kalam played a key role in India's civilian space program and military missile development. He was known as the "Missile Man of India" for his contributions to the development of ballistic missile technology. He also worked on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the development of India's first satellite, Aryabhata.

In 1998, India conducted a series of nuclear tests, which Dr. Kalam supported. He served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Defense Research and Development Organization from 1992 to 1999.

In 2002, Dr. Kalam was elected as the President of India, becoming the first scientist and the first Muslim to hold the office. He was widely respected for his humility, simplicity, and dedication to public service. During his tenure as President, he focused on promoting education, particularly for disadvantaged children, and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.

Dr. Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 2015. He remains a beloved figure in India and is remembered for his inspiring speeches, his commitment to science and technology, and his passion for serving his country.