Life sketch of Dr.

APJ Abdul kalam

Childhood & Early Life
Abdul Kalam was born as the youngest of five children of a Muslim boat owner named Jainulabudeen and his wife
Ashiamma, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Kalam grew up in humble surroundings and had to take up a job while he
was still in school in order to augment his family’s meager income he distributed newspapers to help his father in
providing for the family. He was a bright young boy, blessed with a thirst for knowledge and was always eager to learn
new things. He completed his schooling from Ramanathapuram Schwartz Matriculation School and proceeded to
study physics at the Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, from where he graduated in 1954. Then he studied
aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology, graduating in 1960. His childhood ambition was to become
a fighter pilot but he narrowly missed achieving his dream.

Career at DRDO
After completing his studies he joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defense Research and
Development Organization (DRDO) as a scientist. One of the first projects he worked on was to design a small
helicopter for the Indian Army. He also got the opportunity to work with the renowned space scientist, Vikram
Sarabhai as a part of the INCOSPAR committee. However, Kalam was not much satisfied with his career at the
DRDO.

Career at ISRO
Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969 as the project director of India's
first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III). An expandable rocket project on which he had started working independently
in 1965 got the government’s approval for expansion in 1969
Over the next several years he developed the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects, both of which
proved to be successful. In the 1970s he also worked on the development of ballistic missiles from the technology of
the successful SLV program and directed the projects Project Devil and Project Valiant which were aimed at producing
a short-range surface-to-air missile. Even though the projects were discontinued in 1980 without achieving full
success, they earned Kalam great respect and admiration from the scientific fraternity.

Return to DRDO
In 1980s, the government decided to initiate an advanced missile program under his directorship and thus the
Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) was launched with Kalam as the chief executive. The
program which aimed at the research and development of a comprehensive range of missiles started in 1982-83.
Under the able guidance of Kalam, several missiles including Agni, an intermediate range ballistic missile and Prithvi,
the tactical surface-to-surface missile, were developed. His contributions to India's missile technology earned him the title of
"Missile Man of India.“

Presidency
Dr. Abdul Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India in 2002. His presidency was marked by his focus on youth
empowerment, education, and technology. During his tenure, he traveled extensively throughout India, interacting with students
and young people. He believed that the youth were the future of India and that their potential should be harnessed to make
India a developed nation.
One of the key initiatives launched by Dr. Abdul Kalam during his presidency was the PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural
Areas) scheme.
Dr. Abdul Kalam was known for his simplicity and approachability as President. He made it a point to interact with people from all
walks of life and was often seen talking to students and young people during his travels. He was also a strong advocate of
interfaith harmony and believed in the power of diversity.
Post-Presidency
After leaving the president’s office he became the chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
Thiruvananthapuram and professor of Aerospace Engineering at Anna University. He also became a visiting
professor at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and the
Indian Institute of Management Indore, and taught information technology at the International Institute of Information
Technology, Hyderabad.

As an Author
Abdul Kalam was also a noted author who had penned books like India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium
(1998), Wings of Fire: An Autobiography(1999), Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India(2002), and A
Manifesto for Change: A Sequel to India 2020 (2014).

Awards and Honors

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam has been honored with several prestigious awards from the Government of India including the
Padma Bhushan in 1981, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990, and the Bharat Ratna in 1997. He was also the recipient of
the Von Braun Award (2013) from the National Space Society "to recognize excellence in the management and
leadership of a space-related project".

Death
He passed away on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. Following his
death, the Tamil Nadu state government announced that his birthday, 15 October, would be observed across the
state as "Youth Renaissance Day". His contributions to science and technology, and his dedication to education and youth
development, continue to inspire generations of Indians.
 Contribution to India:
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's contributions to India were not limited to his work in science and technology. He was also a great teacher,
a writer, and a visionary who had a deep love for his country. He believed that India could become a developed nation by 2020,
and worked tirelessly towards this goal.

1.Providing Vision for the Nation: Dr. Abdul Kalam had a clear vision for India's development and worked tirelessly towards
achieving it. He strongly believed that India could become a developed nation by 2020 and his vision for the nation included five
key areas: agriculture and food processing, education and healthcare, information and communication technology,
infrastructure development, and self-reliance in critical technologies. He believed that these areas would help India become a
prosperous, self-reliant, and developed nation.

2.Missile Technology:Dr. Kalam played a key role in the development of India's missile technology. He served as the Project
Director for India's first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III) and was instrumental in the success of the Integrated Guided Missile
Development Program (IGMDP), which led to the development of Agni, Prithvi, Akash, and Nag missiles. These missiles have
strengthened India's defense capabilities and given the country a credible deterrence capability . His efforts in the development
of the ballistic missile program earned him the nickname "Missile Man of India.“

3.Space Program: Dr. Kalam's work in the Indian space program was equally significant. He played a key role in the
development of India's first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-III, which successfully launched the Rohini satellite into orbit in
1983. He was also a key figure in the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which has become India's
workhorse in launching satellites into space. He continued to work on India's space program even after his retirement from
government service, serving as the Chancellor of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
4.Education: Dr. Kalam was a strong advocate of education and worked to promote literacy and scientific temperament
among India's youth. He believed that education was the key to India's development and worked tirelessly to promote it.
During his tenure as the President of India, he launched the "PURA" (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) program to
provide basic amenities and infrastructure in rural areas, and the "National Knowledge Commission" to improve the quality of
education in India. Dr. Kalam also encouraged students to pursue careers in science and technology and interacted with
them regularly. He delivered lectures to students across the country and inspired many to take up careers in science and
engineering.

5.Youth Empowerment:Dr. Abdul Kalam was a great inspiration to the youth of India. He encouraged young people to dream
big and work hard to achieve their goals. He believed that the youth of India had the potential to transform the nation and
make it a better place for all. He established several programs to encourage youth entrepreneurship and innovation, and
believed that young people should be given the opportunity to lead and shape the future of India.
National Unity: Dr. Abdul Kalam believed in the importance of national unity and worked towards promoting harmony and
peace in the country. He was a strong advocate of interfaith dialogue and believed in the power of diversity. He believed that
India's strength lay in its diversity and that it was important to celebrate and respect all cultures and religions. He also
believed in the importance of

6.Nuclear Program: Dr. Kalam played a critical role in India's nuclear program and served as the Chief Scientific Advisor to the
Prime Minister of India during the 1998 nuclear tests. He was instrumental in the development of the nuclear program and
helped India achieve self-reliance in the field of nuclear technology. He also worked towards promoting nuclear disarmament
and advocated for the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
7.Authorship: Dr. Kalam was a prolific writer and wrote several books, including his autobiography "Wings of Fire," which
chronicled his journey from a small village in Tamil Nadu to becoming a renowned scientist and statesman. He also authored
several other books, including "India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium," which presented his vision for India's future and
outlined strategies to achieve economic and social progress.

8.Technology Vision: Dr. Kalam was the architect of India's Technology Vision 2020, a comprehensive plan to make India a
developed country by the year 2020. The plan emphasized the importance of science and technology in achieving economic
and social progress and outlined strategies for achieving targets in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and
industry. Under Dr. Kalam's leadership, the Technology Vision 2020 identified five key areas for development: agriculture and
food processing, healthcare, education, information and communication technology (ICT), and infrastructure. The plan set
targets for each of these areas, with the goal of achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.

9.National Unity: Dr. Kalam was a strong advocate of national unity and worked to promote harmony and understanding
among India's diverse communities. He initiated several programs, such as the National Foundation for Communal Harmony
and the Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas, to promote communal harmony and national integration.
Dr. Kalam believed that India's strength lay in its diversity and worked to bridge the rural-urban divide and promote inclusive
growth. He stressed the need to promote innovation and entrepreneurship to achieve the goals of the Technology Vision 2020
and worked tirelessly to promote research and development in these areas.
10.International Diplomacy: Dr. Kalam's role in enhancing India's international reputation and strengthening its diplomatic ties
with other nations was significant. During his tenure as the President, he made many trips abroad to represent India in
international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Non-Aligned
Movement. He effectively communicated India's vision for the future and promoted India's interests on these platforms. Dr.
Kalam also played a key role in the successful negotiation of the Indo-US nuclear deal, which helped India gain access to
advanced nuclear technology and strengthened India's position as a responsible nuclear power.

11.Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Dr. Kalam strongly believed in the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation for
economic growth and development. He recognized the potential of India's youth to become future entrepreneurs and initiated
several programs to encourage and support them. One such program was the Techno Entrepreneur Promotion Programme
(TEPP), which was launched in 2002. TEPP aimed to create an ecosystem that would foster entrepreneurship and innovation by
providing financial assistance, training, and mentorship to young entrepreneurs. Dr. Kalam also advocated for the establishment
of incubation centers and innovation parks across the country to provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their
ideas and start their own ventures.

In conclusion, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's contributions to India were diverse and impactful. His leadership in nuclear and space
programs, emphasis on science and technology, promotion of national unity and communal harmony, and focus on
entrepreneurship and innovation have helped shape India's progress and development. Dr. Kalam continues to inspire
generations of Indians to work towards making India a developed and prosperous nation.
 Conclusion
In conclusion, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a true inspiration and role model for people all around the world. Dr. APJ
Abdul Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, at the age of 83. His life and contributions serve as a shining example of
what one can achieve through hard work, dedication, and a deep love for their country. From his humble beginnings
as a small-town boy to becoming one of the most respected scientists and leaders of his time, he never lost sight of
his vision for a better India. He was a great teacher, writer, and visionary who believed in the power of education,
science, and technology to transform society. His contributions to India's missile program and space technology, his
work towards promoting education, youth empowerment, and national unity, and his tenure as the President of
India have left an indelible mark on the nation's history. His legacy continues to inspire generations to come, and he
will always be remembered as the "People's President" and a true hero of our times.