“Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.”
Dynamic “Missile Man” by work and Simple “People’s President” by heart Sir Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu in a family of a boat owner. The voyage of contributing in family’s income by selling newspaper to the contribution in Nation by developing Nation’s ballistic missiles is applausive and inspiring.
Physics and Mathematics as his favorite subject Dr. Kalam has done aerospace engineering from Madras Institute of Technology and after its completion he joined DRDO as a scientist and then transferred to ISRO. From here his journey to missile man started.
KALAM SIR AS MISSILE MAN
- 1969 – Project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III)
- 1970 – Project Devil and Project Valiant top secret liquid-fueled missile projects developed by India under the directorship of Dr. Kalam. These projects become the base for ballistic Prithvi missile.
- 1980 – SLV-III project that successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit.
- 1992 – 1999 – Pokhran-II nuclear tests were conducted in which kalam played technical and political role as he was serving as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and this established him as a “ Missile Man” to Nation.
2002 – 2007 DR. APJ Abdul Kalam chaired as the 11th President of India favoured by both BJP and ING. His presidency was preceded by K. R. Narayanan and succeeded by Pratibha Patil. From here his second journey of People’s president was started.
KALAM SIR AS PEOPLE’s PRESIDENT
- He was the first scientist and the first bachelor to hold Rashtrapati Bhawan
- He stressed on the importance of working hard and being punctual
- Kalam Sir addressed 400 students without electricity at a school function
- Dr. Kalam took great care of his colleagues
- As a chief guest in IIT (BHU) Varanasi President Kalam refused special seat as the chair was bigger in the size and was meant to give Kalam special honour.
- Kalam Sir used to read both Kuran and Bhagvad Gita
- He was expert in playing Saraswati and Veena
- He took only 2 holidays in his life both for deaths, of his father and mother.
After his Presidency Dr. Kalam sartred visiting Institutes as a Professor and Honourary fellow. In 2012 he launched a youth programme called “What Can I Give Movement” aimed to curb corruption.
BOOKS WRITTEN BY HIM
Dr. Kalam was fond of writing and he wrote many books, songs and poetry. Some important books are
- 2015 – Transcendence My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji
- 2015 – Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future
- 2014 – Forge your Future: Candid, Forthright, Inspiring
- 2013 – My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions
- 2007 – Inspiring Thoughts, 2007
- 1999 – Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam
- 1998- India 2020: A vision for the New Millennium
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Kalam Sir was the third President of India to have been honored with a Bharat Ratna before being elected to the office of President.
- Since 2008 “Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE awards” was given annually by National Innovation Foundation, a body of the Department of Science and Technology which celebrates Children’s Creativity and Innovation Day
- In 2010 UN honoured Kalam Sir on his 79th birthday and declared October 15 as “ World Student Day”
- Kalam Sir received honorary doctorates from 40 universities.
- Switzerland commemorate Kalam’s visit on May 26 to their country as Science day.
- In 2011 an inspirational film was release named “I Am Kalam” which portrayed Kalam Sir as a positive influence to a poor boy.
| 2013 | Von Braun Award |
| 1997 | Bharat Ratna |
| 1990 | Padma Vibhushan |
| 1981 | Padma Bhushan |
On 27th July 2015 he was delivering lecture on “Creating a Livable Planet Earth” at the IIM Shillong and it’s the time when he passed away due to sudden cardiac arrest.
POST DEATH COMMENDATIONS
As a mark of respect GOI declared 7 days mourning period and Bhutan’s flags flown at half-staff to mourn Kalam’s death and lit 1000 butter lamps in homage.
- Bihar Govt renamed its agricultural college at Kishanganj as “Dr. Kalam Agricultural College, Kishanganj”
- Uttar Pradesh Govt renamed Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU) as “A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University”
- Tamil Nadu Govt instituted Award in the name of APJ Abdul Kalam and it first conferred on ISRO scientist N. Valarmathi. Award consists of Rs 5 lakh, certificate of appreciation and an 8gm gold medal.
- TN Govt also announced Oct 15 as “Youth Awakening Day”
- In Travancore a new Research institute for digestive diseases research will be named after him.
- Puducherry government inaugurated science centre-cum-planetarium that would be named after Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
- Mahatma Gandhi University in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala will named its upcoming academia complex after Sir A P J Abdul Kalam
- Delhi’s Aurangzeb Road renamed after APJ Abdul Kalam
- Wheeler Island in Odisha named after Dr. Kalam
- Assam would also set up a centre for innovation named after late A P J Abdul Kalam
- Marking the 84th birth anniversary of Dr. Kalam, PM Modi announced memorial in his honour that to be built at his birthplace Rameswaram and will be developed as an AMRUT city.
- PM Modi also unveiled the bust of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at the DRDO complex in New Delhi on his 84th birth anniversary.
- Commemorating Kalam sir’s birth anniversary Defence minister Manohar Parrikar renamed the DRDO missile complex in Hyderabad as “Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex”
- Indian Institute of Management-Shillong also announced the launch of a centre for policy research to honour Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Will always miss Legendary Kalam Sir
RIP
