Missile Man of India

- Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

- Humble beginnings in a middle-class family

- Childhood influences and dreams of flying

- Graduated in Physics from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli

- Aerospace engineering from Madras Institute of Technology

- Strong academic foundation laid for future endeavors

- Joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1962

- Significant contributions to India's space program

- Key role in the development of SLV-III, India's first satellite launch vehicle

- Leadership in India's missile program at DRDO

- Development of Agni, Prithvi, and other missile systems

- Pioneering efforts in indigenous missile technology

- Elected as the 11th President of India in 2002

- Known as the "People's President"

- Advocated for education, science, and technology

- Propounded Vision 2020 for India's development

- Emphasized on self-reliance, innovation, and education

- Believed in harnessing youth power for national progress

- Continued engagement with youth through teaching and writing

- Inspirational speaker and mentor to millions

- Focused on igniting young minds towards nation-building

- Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1997

- Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990)

- Numerous international awards for his contributions to science and humanity

- Remembered as a visionary leader and role model

- Inspires generations with his simplicity and dedication

- Dr.Kalam's legacy continues to shape India's aspirations and achievements

- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's life was a testament to the power of dreams, hard work, and dedication.

- His works in science, technology, and education continue to inspire millions globally.

- Let's carry forward his vision and strive towards a better future for all.

 

Quote: dream is not that you see in sleep, dream is something that does not let you sleep..

 

Dr.AvulPakirJainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, fondly known as the Missile Man of India, was not just a scientist, but a visionary leader whose life and works continue to inspire millions worldwide. Born on October 15, 1931, in the humble town of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Kalam rose from modest beginnings to become one of India's most beloved and respected figures. He is counted among the greatest scientists of the 21st century

Kalam's journey began with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for exploration. His early education laid a solid foundation, but it was his indomitable spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence that propelled him forward. Graduating in Physics from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, and later specializing in aerospace engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology, Kalam equipped himself with…At that time the financial condition of his family was poor so from an early age he started supporting his family financially. But he never gave up education. Along with supporting his family he continued his studies and completed graduation.

The family was poverty-stricken by the time Kalam was born. As a young boy he had to sell newspapers to add to the family's meager income. In his school years, Kalam had average grades but was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn.

Abdul Kalam called his childhood a secure one because he had loving and caring parents who gave love and guidance to their children and took care of their emotional and physical needs. They provided their children with all necessities, in terms of food, medicine or clothes. He spent hours on his studies, especially mathematics.

His Education:

After completing his education at the Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram, Kalam went on to attend Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, then affiliated with the University of Madras, from where he graduated in physics in 1954.

He moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology.WhileKalam was working on a senior class project, the Dean was dissatisfied with his lack of progress and threatened to revoke his scholarship unless the project was finished within the next three days. Kalam met the deadline, impressing the Dean, who later said to him, "I was putting you under stress and asking you to meet a difficult deadline".He narrowly missed achieving his dream of becoming a fighter pilot, as he placed ninth in qualifiers, and only eight positions were available in the IAF.

CAREER:

After graduating from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (by Press Information Bureau, Government of India) as a scientist after becoming a member of the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS). He started his career by designing a small hovercraft, but remained unconvinced by his choice of a job at DRDO.Kalam was also part of the INCOSPAR committee working under Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned space scientist.In 1969, Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) where he was the project director of India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980; Kalam had first started work on an expandable rocket project independently at DRDO in 1965.In 1969, Kalam received the government's approval and expanded the programme to include more engineers.

Missile Programme:

As the Father of Indian Missile Technology, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam made groundbreaking contributions to India's defense sector, particularly in the field of missile development. 

His most notable work was the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), which he spearheaded. The program was a comprehensive initiative aimed at achieving self-reliance in the production and development of ballistic missiles. 

Under IGMDP, India successfully developed a range of missiles, including the Agni series, Prithvi series, Akash, Trishul, and Nag. Each of these missiles served different strategic purposes, from short-range battlefield applications to long-range intercontinental Dr.Kalam was involved in Project Devil and Project Valiant, which were aimed at developing surface-to-air missiles. Although these projects were not fully successful, they laid the groundwork for future missile development programs in India. ballistic capabilities.

Presidency:

Kalam was elected as the 11th president of India in 2002 with the support of both the ruling BharatiyaJanata Party and the then-opposition Indian National Congress. Widely referred to as the "People's President",

Kalam was the third President of India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, before becoming the President SarvepalliRadhakrishnan (1954) and Zakir Husain (1963) were the earlier recipients of Bharat Ratna who later became the President of India. He was also the first scientist and the first bachelor to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan signing the Office of Profit Bill was the toughest decision he had taken during his tenure.

Though not always explicitly stated, Dr.Kalam's humility and compassion for people were evident in his leadership style.

Vision for India

Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam was an inspiration to many people around the world. He was a visionary leader who had a clear vision for India's future.

His first vision is that of FREEDOM. He believed that India got its first vision of this in 1857, when we started the war of Independence. We must protect this freedom.

His 2nd Vision is India’s DEVELOPMENT, Its time to see ourselves as a developed nation.Our poverty level must fall. Our achievements are globally recognized today.

He had a third vision, India must stand up to the world, because he belivedthat , unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. Only strength respects strength. We must be strong not onlt as a military power but also as economic power.

Post-Presidency

He left office at the end of his term in 2007 and was succeeded by PratibhaPatil, the country's first woman president. Upon returning to civilian life, Kalam remained committed to using science and technology to transform India into a developed country and served as a lecturer at several universities.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was an inspiration to people around the world, and his legacy continues after his presidency. He was a tireless worker, and his passion for science and technology inspired many young people to pursue careers in these fields. He also was a strong advocate for peace and international cooperation, and worked hard to promote these values throughout his career. After his presidency, Dr.Kalam remained active in public life, working on various projects and writing books that continue to inspire people of all ages. His work has had a lasting impact on Indian society and culture, and he will always be remembered as one of the most influential leaders of our time.

Awards and Recognition

When former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam died in 2015, he left behind 2,500 books, a wrist watch, six shirts, four trousers, three suits, and a pair of shoes. Kalam's books include:

Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (1999)

Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India (2002)

The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse and Colours (2004)

Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life (2005)

Mission of India: A Vision of Indian Youth

India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium

Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with PramukhSwamiji

Dr.Kalam's focus was not just on technology but also on building a strong scientific community. He mentored a generation of scientists and engineers, instilling in them a sense of purpose and direction. His vision extended beyond defense, advocating for technological advancements to transform India into a developed nation by 2020. 

Even more, he becomes the 11th president of India and served his country. He was the most valued person of the country as his contribution as a scientist and as a president is beyond compare. Apart from that, his contribution to the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) is remarkable. He headed many projects that contributed to the society also he was the one who helped in the development of Agni and Prithvi missiles. For his involvement in the Nuclear power in India, he was known as “Missile Man of India”. And due to his contribution to the country, the government awarded him with the highest civilian award

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, fondly known as the “Missile Man of India”, earned this title for his pioneering contributions to India’s space and missile programs. As a key figure in the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), he played an instrumental role in developing missiles such as Agni and Prithvi, which strengthened India’s defense capabilities. His vision and leadership transformed India into a self-reliant nation in strategic technology, earning him global recognition as a scientist of exceptional brilliance and dedication.

Beyond missiles, Dr. Kalam contributed immensely to India’s space research and nuclear programs. He worked with ISRO on the SLV-III project, which successfully launched India’s first satellite, Rohini, into orbit in 1980. Later, he played a vital role in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests of 1998, which established India as a nuclear power. Despite his technical genius, Kalam was admired equally for his humility and passion for inspiring young minds, constantly reminding students to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams.

Dr. Kalam’s life was not just about science and technology but also about values, leadership, and service to the nation. He rose from a modest background in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to become the 11th President of India (2002–2007), where he was affectionately called the “People’s President.” Even after his presidency, he continued to teach, write, and mentor youth until his passing in 2015, fittingly while delivering a lecture. His legacy as the Missile Man of India endures, not only for his scientific achievements but also for his unwavering belief that empowering young people is the key to a stronger and brighter India.

Here are some rare and inspiring facts about Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Missile Man of India:

1.      Humble Beginnings – Born in 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Kalam came from a modest family. His father was a boat owner, and as a boy, Kalam sold newspapers to support his education. Despite these struggles, his curiosity and determination pushed him to excel in studies.

2.      Veena Player and Lover of Classical Music – Few people know that Kalam was deeply fond of music. He played the veena beautifully and often listened to Carnatic music to relax his mind, showing his balance between science and spirituality.

3.      Simple Lifestyle – Even as President of India, Kalam lived with utmost simplicity. He owned very few personal possessions—just a few clothes, books, and his veena. He never accumulated wealth and donated most of his earnings to social causes.

4.      Dedicated Teacher – Kalam always considered himself a teacher above everything else. Even after becoming President, he spent time with students, answering their questions and motivating them to pursue knowledge. In fact, he passed away in 2015 while giving a lecture at IIM Shillong—teaching until his very last breath.

5.      Philanthropy – Kalam donated much of his salary and savings to charitable trusts, including the PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) initiative, which aimed to uplift rural communities through better infrastructure and education.

6.      Author of Inspiring Books – He wrote several influential books such as Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds, and India 2020. These works not only chronicled his journey but also shared his vision of India as a developed nation powered by youth.

7.      People’s President – While serving as the 11th President of India (2002–2007), he was loved across political, social, and religious lines. People admired him for his accessibility, humility, and deep concern for the common citizen, earning him the title of the People’s President.

Dream of a Developed India – Kalam’s greatest dream was to see India as a strong, developed nation by 2020. He constantly encouraged youth to dream big, innovate, and serve the country with honesty and courage.