APJ Abdul Kalam, whose full name is Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, was an Indian scientist and politician who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India, and passed away on July 27, 2015.
Dr. Kalam was an aerospace engineer and worked with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) before becoming the President of India. He was known as the “Missile Man of India” for his work on the development of ballistic missile technology. He played a key role in the development of India’s first satellite launch vehicle and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.
Dr. Kalam was also a passionate educationist and believed that education was the key to the development of a nation. He initiated several programs to promote education, including the “Digital India” campaign, which aimed to connect rural areas with the internet. He also established the “Kalam-Soyuz” program, which aimed to connect Indian students with Russian universities for exchange programs.
Dr. Kalam was a highly respected figure in India and was known for his humility and simplicity. He was also a motivational speaker and wrote several books, including “Wings of Fire” and “India 2020”. He was honored with several awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1997.
Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Kalam always made time for the youth and was a role model for millions of young Indians. He believed that “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.” He was also instrumental in promoting the idea of a “Developed India” by 2020, which was later renamed as “Vision 2020”. He passed away while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, in 2015.