biography of apj abdul kalam

Biography of APJ Abdul Kalam: The Missile Man of India

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, commonly known as the ‘Missile Man of India’, was a renowned scientist, engineer, and former President of India. Born in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Kalam rose to become one of the most influential figures in the field of science and technology in India. In this blog post, we will be discussing the Biography of APJ Abdul Kalam.

He was a key figure in the development of India’s civilian space program and military missile development, and his contributions have had a lasting impact on the country. This biography of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam will delve into his early life, career, achievements, and legacy, highlighting the remarkable journey of the ‘Missile Man of India’.

Early Life of APJ Abdul Kalam

  • Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Came from a humble background, his father was a boat owner and imam at a local mosque
  • Completed his early education in Rameswaram and later earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology.
  • His family had limited means and struggled to make ends meet, but despite this, he was determined to pursue an education.
  • He was known to be a hardworking student and had a passion for science and technology from a young age
  • He was also deeply spiritual, and his strong connection to his Muslim faith influenced many aspects of his life and career
  • Despite facing many financial and societal obstacles, he persevered and was able to achieve success in his field.

The career of APJ Abdul Kalam

  • Worked as a scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
  • Made significant contributions to the development of India’s civilian space program and military missile development
  • He started his career at the DRDO, where he worked on the design and development of the Rohini-sounding rocket.
  • Later, he was transferred to ISRO, where he played a key role in the development of the SLV-3 launch vehicle, which successfully placed the Rohini satellite in orbit in 1980.
  • He was appointed as the Project Director of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in 1983. The IGMDP was an Indian government initiative to develop a comprehensive range of missiles. Under his leadership, several successful missiles were developed, including the Agni and Prithvi missiles.
  • He also played a key role in India’s civilian space program and was responsible for the successful launch of the satellite INSAT-1B in 1983.
  • He served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from 1992 to 1999.
  • He was elected as the 11th President of India in 2002 and served until 2007. During his tenure, he focused on the themes of “Empowering the Youth” and “Developing India.”
  • He was also an advocate for technology-driven education and worked to promote the study of science and technology among students.

Achievements and Awards

  • Received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1997 for his exceptional work in the field of science and technology and for his role in the nation’s civilian space program and military missile development.
  • Received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 1981 for his contributions to the field of defense technology.
  • Received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in 1990 for his contributions to the field of scientific research.
  • Received honorary doctorates from 40 universities across the world.
  • Authored several books, including “India 2020” and “Wings of Fire” which became bestsellers and widely read books in India, These books provide a vision of how India can become a developed country by 2020 and also his personal life story and experience.
  • He was also a recipient of several international awards and honors, including the King Charles II Medal for services to science and technology by the Royal Society of the United Kingdom, and the Hoover Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
  • He was also a Fellow of several prestigious scientific and technological institutions in India, including the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Indian National Science Academy, and the Indian Academy of Sciences.
  • He was also a member of several international scientific and technical organizations, including the International Academy of Astronautics, the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, and the World Academy of Art and Science.

Struggle Story of APJ Abdul Kalams

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam came from a low-income family and had to overcome numerous financial and social obstacles in order to achieve success in his field. He was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India, to a boat owner and an imam at a local mosque. His family had limited resources and struggled to make ends meet, but he was determined to further his education.

Kalam was known as a hardworking student who had a lifelong interest in science and technology. He received his early education in Rameswaram and later graduated from the Madras Institute of Technology with a degree in aeronautical engineering. Despite financial constraints, he persevered and achieved success in his field.

Kalam faced challenges throughout his career as a scientist in the Indian Defense Organization and the Space Research Organization. Despite limited resources, he was able to contribute significantly to the development of India’s civilian space program and military missile development.

In 1983, he was named Project Director of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). The IGMDP was a government of India initiative to develop a wide range of missiles. Despite the lack of resources, he persisted, and several successful missiles, including the Agni and Prithvi missiles, were developed under his leadership.

Despite obstacles and challenges, Kalam was adamant about succeeding and never lost sight of his goal. His perseverance, hard work, and determination were the driving forces behind his success, and he became an inspiration to the youth of India.

Death

  • Abdul Kalam died on July 27, 2015, in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management.
  • He suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
  • His death was met with widespread mourning and tributes from leaders and citizens across India and the world.
  • His funeral was attended by thousands of people, including dignitaries from various fields.
  • He was given a state funeral and his mortal remains were laid to rest with full state honors in his hometown of Rameswaram.
  • His death was widely covered by the media, and his passing was deeply felt by many people in India and around the world.
  • His death was considered a great loss to the nation and the field of science and technology.
  • He was considered a role model for the youth and his legacy continues to inspire many young people in India and around the world.

Important Things

DateEvent
October 15, 1931Born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India
1955Graduated from Madras Institute of Technology with a degree in aeronautical engineering
1970sMade significant contributions to the development of India’s civilian space program and military missile development
2002-2007Served as the 11th President of India
1997Received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award
July 27, 2015Died due to a cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s full name?

    A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s full name is Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.

  • What was Abdul Kalam’s profession?

    Abdul Kalam was a scientist and engineer, who worked in the Indian defense organization and space research organization. He is considered a pioneer of India’s civilian space program and military missile development.

  • What were some of Abdul Kalam’s notable achievements?

    Some of Abdul Kalam’s notable achievements include receiving the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1997, for his exceptional work in the field of science and technology, and for his role in the nation’s civilian space program and military missile development. He also authored several books including India 2020 and Wings of Fire, which became bestsellers in India.

  • When and where did Abdul Kalam die?

    Abdul Kalam died on July 27, 2015, in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management.

  • What was Abdul Kalam’s role in the Indian missile program?

    Abdul Kalam played a vital role in the Indian missile program as the Project Director of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). Under his leadership, several successful missiles were developed, including the Agni and Prithvi missiles.

  • What were Abdul Kalam’s views on education and youth development?

    Abdul Kalam believed that education is the key to nation-building and that the youth of a nation are its greatest assets. He emphasized the importance of developing a strong education system that promotes creativity and innovation and encouraged young people to take an active role in shaping the future of the country. He also stressed the importance of character-building and ethical values in education.

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APJ Abdul Kalam Biography

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