Remembering Bharat Ratna, Veer Savarkar Award ,Padma Vibhushan APJ Abdul Kalam

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, known as the "Missile Man of India," was a prominent scientist and the 11th President of India. Here’s a detailed story of his life, from birth to death, including his education and achievements.

Early Life and Education

Birth:

• Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in a Tamil Muslim family. His father, Jainulabdeen, was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque; his mother, Ashiamma, was a housewife.

Education:

• Kalam's family was not financially affluent, so from a young age, he distributed newspapers to support his family's income.
• He attended Schwartz Higher Secondary School in Ramanathapuram.
• Later, he graduated in physics from Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, in 1954.
• He moved to Madras (now Chennai) to study aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), where he graduated in 1960.

Career and Contributions

Early Career:

• After graduation, Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist.
• In 1969, he 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 deployed the Rohini satellite in orbit in 1980.

Major Contributions:

• Played a pivotal role in India's civilian space program and military missile development. He was the chief architect of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) and worked on the development of the Agni and Prithvi missiles.
• Contributed significantly to the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, which made India a nuclear weapon state.

Presidency and Beyond

President of India:

• Served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. Known as the "People's President," he was widely loved and respected for his humility, simplicity, and vision for India's development.
• During his presidency, he focused on promoting education, science, and technology, especially among young Indians.

Post-Presidency:

• After his term as President, he continued to be active in education, public service, and writing. He was a visiting professor at several institutions and inspired millions with his motivational speeches and books.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Kalam received numerous awards and honors throughout his life, including:

• Padma Bhushan in 1981.
• Padma Vibhushan in 1990.
• Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1997.
• Honorary doctorates from 40 universities.

Death

• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, due to a cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. His sudden death was mourned across the nation, and he was given a state funeral in his hometown of Rameswaram.

Dr. Kalam's life story is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to one's country and the pursuit of knowledge. His legacy continues to inspire countless individuals across the globe.