INDIA’S MISSILE MAN

Early life :

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was born on the 15th of October 1931 to a Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram, a small town in Tamil Nadu. Kalam was the youngest in family. He had four brothers and a sister. Kalam’s family was born and brought up in a middle class family. Due to poverty, Kalam used to sell newspaper to support the family financially.

Education :

Despite having average grades in school, Kalam was a bright student and was very hardworking. He completed his schooling for Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram. Kalam completed his graduation in physics from St. Joseph’s college, Tiruchirappalli in 1954. He then went to Madras Institute of Technology to study aerospace engeneering. During his time at Madras Institute of Technology; once, the dean was dissatisfied with Kalam’s progress while he was working on a senior class project. He was threatened by the dean that his scholarship will be revoked. Kalam then completed the project in three days working on it day and night. The dean was impressed and later told him, “I was putting you under stress to meet a difficult deadline”. This tells a lot about the grit and determination of Kalam.

Career :

On completing his graduation from Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, Kalam joined Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation as a scientist. He later became a member of the Defense research and development service (DRDS). In 1969, Kalam was transferred to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was the project director of India’s first satellite launch vehicle program. Kalam was the chief advisor to the Prime Minister and secretary of the DRDO from July 1992 and December 1999. Kalam played a major role in the Pokhran- II nuclear test. Kalam had a lion’s share in India’s space and defense programmes. He was rightly known as the ‘Missile Man’ of India.

Presidency :

Kalam served as the 11th president of India. He completed his 5 year tenure from 25th July 2002 to 25th July 2007. Kalam was the third President of India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. Kalam was known as the ‘People’s President’. In September 2003, in an interactive session in PGI Chandigarh, Kalam supported the need of Uniform Civil Code in India, keeping in view the population of the country. At the end of his term he expressed his wish to consider a second term however, he later decided not to contest the elections.

Death:

On 27th July 2015, Kalam was to deliver a lecture at Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. While climbing stairs of the flight, he felt some discomfort, however after some rest he went for the lecture in the auditorium. Kalam started the lecture, however at around 6:35pm IST, just about five minutes from starting, he collapsed. He was rushed to the nearby Bethany Hospital where he was declared dead of sudden cardiac arrest. His last words, to his aide Srijan Pal Singh, were reportedly: “Funny guy! Are you doing well?”

Kalam was loved by everybody. He had very few critics. His name will be written in golden words in Indian history.