25 July,2023 10:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (File Photo)
Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was an Indian scientist and who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.
Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India, Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, in Shillong.
Kalam completed his schooling at the Schwartz Higher Secondary School in Ramanathapuram and went on to study physics at St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli. After completing his degree he joined the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as a scientist.
He played a crucial role in the development of India's first indigenous satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III) and ballistic missile (Agni and Prithvi). His work earned him the nickname "Missile Man of India" for his pioneering efforts in missile technology.
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In 1992, Kalam became the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of India and also the Secretary of the Defense Research and Development Organization.
In 2002, Kalam was elected as the President of India. During his presidency, he focused on promoting education, particularly among rural youth, and advocated for the use of technology to bridge the digital divide.
On July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Kalam suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away. His legacy continues to inspire millions of people worldwide.
While remembering A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on his Death Anniversary here are some interesting facts and rare photos of the "Missile Man of India"
Mathematics held a special place in Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's life and he spent hours studying his favourite subject. After completing school, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam distributed newspapers to financially contribute to his family. However, his interest in learning the subject dwindled by the time he completed his degree in 1954
Dr Kalam was responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration.
(In Pic: Dr Kalam with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi)
He was responsible for the development and operationalisation of Agni and Prithvi missiles
In 1998, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam put forward a countrywide plan called Technology Vision 2020, which he described as a road map for transforming India from a less-developed to a developed society in 20 years
(In Pic: Dr Kalam with former PM Manmohan Singh)
