A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is an Indian scientist and politician who served his country as president from 2002 to 2007.
Synopsis
Born in 1931 in Dhanushkodi, India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam joined India's
defense department after graduating from the Madras Institute of
Technology. He was a central figure in the development of the country's
nuclear capabilities, and was hailed as a national hero after a series
of successful tests in 1998. Kalam served as India's
president for one term, and died of a heart attack on July 27, 2015.
Early Years
- Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born into a Muslim
family on October 15, 1931, on the island of Dhanushkodi off the
southeastern coast of India. He developed an early fascination with
flight by watching birds, which developed into an interest in
aeronautics after he saw a newspaper article about a British fighter
plane.
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Despite his modest beginnings – his dad built and rented boats – Kalam
was a bright student who showed promise in science and mathematics. He
attended St. Joseph's College, and went on to earn a degree in
aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology.
Rise to the Presidency
- His hopes of becoming a fighter pilot
was dashed when he narrowly missed out on a spot with the Indian Air
Force. Kalam instead joined the Defense Research and
Development Organization (DRDO) as a senior scientific assistant in
1958. After moving to the newly formed Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) in 1969, he was named project director of the
SLV-III, the first satellite launch vehicle designed and produced on
Indian soil.
- Returning to the DRDO as director in 1982, Kalam
implemented the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. He then
became the senior scientific adviser to India's defense minister in
1992, a position he used to campaign for the development of nuclear
tests.
- Kalam was a key figure in the May 1998 Pokhran-II tests,
in which five nuclear devices were detonated in the Rajasthan Desert.
Although the tests resulted in condemnation and economic sanctions from
other world powers, Kalam was hailed as a national hero for his stanch
defense of the country’s security.
- In 2002, India's ruling National Democratic Alliance helped Kalam win an
election against Lakshmi Sahgal and become India's 11th president, a
largely ceremonial post. Known as the People's President, Kalam set a
goal of conducting 500,000 one-on-one meetings with young people over
the course of his five-year term. His immense popularity led to him
being nominated by MTV for a Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003 and
2006.
- After leaving office in 2007, Kalam became a visiting professor at
several universities. He formed the "What Can I Give Movement" in 2011
with the goal of creating a compassionate society, and in 2012, his
efforts to improve healthcare led to the release of a tablet for medical
personnel to use in remote areas.
Death and Legacy
- On July 27, 2015, Kalam suffered a massive
heart attack while lecturing at the Indian Institute of Management and
subsequently died at the age of 83.
- Kalam was laid to rest on July 30 with full state honors in his
native Tamil Nadu. In honor of the scientist and former president, the
southeast Indian state government of Tamil Nadu created a "Dr. A.P.J.
Abdul Kalam Award," which recognizes exceptional individuals who promote
the sciences, students and humanities. The government has also
established Kalam's birthday (October 15) as "Youth Renaissance Day."
Discussion about building a large-scale memorial at his burial site is
underway.
- Among his many accolades, including honorary doctorates
from 40 universities, he was granted the Padma Bhushan (1981), the
Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997) — India's highest
civilian awards — for his contributions in modernizing government
defense technology. He also wrote several books, including
the autobiography Wings of Fire in 1999.
PLEASE POST FOR APJ.....
Watch a Video of Kalam...on https://www.youtube.com/user/srinivaschidurala/kalam
2 comments:
please post on apj
he is a legend...
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