Dr. A P J Abjul Kalam

 “MISSILE MAN “

DR. A P J ABDUL KALAM 

Introduction :

I am very excited to write about our  great scientist Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.  His full name is Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015) was an Indian aerospace scientist who served as the 11th president of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied physics and aerospace engineering. He was widely referred to as " People's president " . 

Early life and Education : 

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in a Muslim family. His Father's name  was  Jainalubdeen, a boat owner and imam of a local mosque and his mother was a housewife and her name was Ashiamma.

In his school years, Kalam  was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn. He spent hours on his studies, especially in  mathematics.  After completing his education at the Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram, Kalam went to attend Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, then he graduated from University of Madras, in physics in 1954. He moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology.

Career as Scientist: 

After graduating from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organization (by Press Information Bureau, Government of India) as a scientist after becoming a member of the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS).

In 1963 to 1964, he visited NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia . Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; and Wallops Flight Facility. Between the 1970s and 1990s, Kalam made an effort to develop the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects, both of which proved to be successful.

Special things about APJ :

He was India's first Bachelor President and a Vegetarian: Abdul Kalam was the first President of India who was  never married. He was a Muslim in religion and had never ate meat. He was a pure vegetarian. Honorary doctorates: It would surprise you that Abdul Kalam had 48 doctorates.

Not only is he hard-working, but it is also believed that he sleeps for less than 4 to 5 hours in a day.

Invention : 

Abdul Kalam was known with the title of 'Missile Man of India' for his breakthrough development of ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology.

1. Nandhi: It was his first invention for his college project. He did a double engine powered hovercraft and it was completed after a lot of struggle.

2. Pokhran 2 : It consists of five detonations, the first was fusion bomb and the rest were fission bombs. 

3. Indigenous Guided Missiles :APJ Abdul Kalam was appointed as the CEO of Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. He was responsible for the development and operation of AGNI and PRITHVI missiles. 

4. Kalam Raju Stent :Kalam  has developed a low cost coronary stent which led to the reduction  of prices of imported coronary stents by more than 50 per cent.

5. Kalam Raju Tablet :This tablet aimed at arming healthcare workers at the primary level to respond to emergency  medical situations.

Awards : 

Abdul Kalam won many awards, both from the Indian government and from the international community. His most notable awards were the Padma Vibhushan, won in 1990, and the Bharat Ratna, won in 1997, for his contributions to science and engineering and service to the government.

Autobiography : Kalam wrote several books, including an autobiography, Wings of Fire (1999).

Books written by APJ :

• Wings of Fire: An Autobiography.

• Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India.

• Arohan: Pramukh Swamiji Ke Saath Mera Adyatmik Safar: Pramukh Swamiji Ke Saath Mera Adhyatmik Safar.

• My Journey : Transforming Dreams into Actions.

• Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges.

Death : 

Dr . A P J Abdul Kalam died on July 27 ,2015.On 30 July 2015, the former president was laid to rest at Rameswaram's Pei Karumbu Ground with full state honors. Nearly 350,000 people attended the last rites, including the Prime Minister, the governor of Tamil Nadu and the chief ministers of Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.