A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Biography
Engineer,
Scientist, President (non-U.S.) (1931–2015)
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is an Indian scientist and politician who served his country as president from 2002 to 2007.
Synopsis
Born
in 1931 in Dhanushkodi, India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam joined India's
defense department after graduating from the Madras Institute of
Technology. He was a central figure in the development of the
country's nuclear capabilities, and was hailed as a national hero
after a series of successful tests in 1998. Kalam served as India's
president for one term, and died of a heart attack on July 27, 2015.
Early Years
Avul
Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born into a Muslim family on
October 15, 1931, on the island of Dhanushkodi off the southeastern
coast of India. He developed an early fascination with flight by
watching birds, which developed into an interest in aeronautics after
he saw a newspaper article about a British fighter plane.
Despite
his modest beginnings – his dad built and rented boats – Kalam
was a bright student who showed promise in science and mathematics.
He attended St. Joseph's College, and went on to earn a degree in
aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology.
Rise to the Presidency
His
hopes of becoming a fighter pilot was dashed when he narrowly missed
out on a spot with the Indian Air Force. Kalam instead joined the
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as a senior
scientific assistant in 1958. After moving to the newly formed Indian
Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969, he was named project
director of the SLV-III, the first satellite launch vehicle designed
and produced on Indian soil.
Returning
to the DRDO as director in 1982, Kalam implemented the Integrated
Guided Missile Development Program. He then became the senior
scientific adviser to India's defense minister in 1992, a position he
used to campaign for the development of nuclear tests.
Kalam
was a key figure in the May 1998 Pokhran-II tests, in which five
nuclear devices were detonated in the Rajasthan Desert. Although the
tests resulted in condemnation and economic sanctions from other
world powers, Kalam was hailed as a national hero for his stanch
defense of the country’s security.
In
2002, India's ruling National Democratic Alliance helped Kalam win an
election against Lakshmi Sahgal and become India's 11th president, a
largely ceremonial post. Known as the People's President, Kalam set a
goal of conducting 500,000 one-on-one meetings with young people over
the course of his five-year term. His immense popularity led to him
being nominated by MTV for a Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003 and
2006.
After
leaving office in 2007, Kalam became a visiting professor at several
universities. He formed the "What Can I Give Movement" in
2011 with the goal of creating a compassionate society, and in 2012,
his efforts to improve healthcare led to the release of a tablet for
medical personnel to use in remote areas.
Death and Legacy
On
July 27, 2015, Kalam suffered a massive heart attack while lecturing
at the Indian Institute of Management and subsequently died at the
age of 83.
Kalam
was laid to rest on July 30 with full state honors in his native
Tamil Nadu. In honor of the scientist and former president, the
southeast Indian state government of Tamil Nadu created a "Dr.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award," which recognizes exceptional
individuals who promote the sciences, students and humanities. The
government has also established Kalam's birthday (October 15) as
"Youth Renaissance Day." Discussion about building a
large-scale memorial at his burial site is underway.
Among
his many accolades, including honorary doctorates from 40
universities, he was granted the Padma Bhushan (1981), the Padma
Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997) — India's highest
civilian awards — for his contributions in modernizing government
defense technology. He also wrote several books, including the
autobiography Wings
of Fire in
1999.
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