apj abdul kalam biography
APJ 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, in Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
Kalam’s father was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque, while his mother was a housewife. He was the youngest of four brothers and one sister. Kalam studied physics at St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, and later went on to study aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology.
After completing his education, Kalam started his career as a scientist at the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). He was then transferred to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) where he played a key role in the development of India’s first satellite launch vehicle, SLV-III.
In 1982, Kalam returned to DRDO as its director and played a key role in developing ballistic missile technology. He also played a major role in the development of the nuclear tests carried out by India in 1998. Kalam was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1997 for his contributions to science and engineering.
Kalam was known for his inspirational speeches and his love for teaching. He was also a prolific writer and authored several books, including Wings of Fire: An Autobiography and India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium.
In 2002, Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India, succeeding KR Narayanan. He served as President from 2002 to 2007 and was widely regarded as a people’s President. Kalam’s tenure was marked by his efforts to promote science and education in the country.
Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. His death was mourned by the nation, and he was given a state funeral with full military honors. Kalam’s legacy continues to inspire people, and he is widely regarded as one of India’s greatest scientists and leaders.