APJ Abdul Kalam

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is one of those well-known Indians who never cease to be an inspiration. A man of stunning grit and patience, he went on to become one of the most successful presidents that India has had. Abdul Kalam is the man who put India firmly on top of the world in the field of Science and Technology.

Not many are aware that Abdul Kalam was born into a middle class Tamil family in Madras. In fact, his father was neither well-educated nor very rich. A man famous for his honesty and self-discipline, Abdul Kalam is an alumnus of Madras Institute of technology (MIT), from where he pursued aeronautical engineering.

Dr. Kalam started his career as Senior Scientific Assistant with Technical Centre (Civil Aviation) on a meager salary of Rs.250/- only. Afterwards, he joined the Indian Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which gave way to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). It was his working with ISRO which would later catapult his career in rocket and missile technology.

He played a crucial role in developing satellite launch vehicle technology and expertise in control, propulsion and aerodynamics during the first phase of his career. In fact, it was during this time that India also the ability to design various kinds of rocket systems. In the second phase of his career, in 1982, he joined Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Under his leadership as the Director of DRDO, India has been able to develop strategic missiles. Later on, Kalam was a part of India’s mission to become a nuclear weapon state.

As chairman of the Information, Technology, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), he got involved with creation of Technology Mission 2010 and India Millennium Missions (IMM 2020)- an integrated version of technology vision with the aim of taking care of India’s security concerns.
Abdul Kalam has played a key role in trying to ignite the minds of youngsters in India. The most significant achievement of Abdul Kalam has been landing the conferred position of President of India, a role he did with utmost honesty and hard work.

A great human being, possessing one of the greatest minds in the country, APJ Abdul Kalam was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna, which is the highest civilian award in the country.