What are some unknown facts about APJ Abdul Kalam?


Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam otherwise called A. P. J. Abdul Kalam; (15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015), was the eleventh President of India from 2002 to 2007. A professional researcher turned statesman, Kalam was brought up in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied material science and aviation design.

He spent four decades of his life as a researcher and science head, primarily at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and was personally required in India's civilian space program and military rocket advancement efforts.

He received the title Missile Man of India due to his work on the improvement of ballistic rocket and launch vehicle technology. He likewise played a hierarchical, technical, and political role in India's Pokhran-II atomic tests in 1998, since the first atomic test by India in 1974.

President of India

Kalam was chosen as the eleventh president of India in 2002 unanimously by both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress. Generally alluded to as the People's President, he came back to his civilian life of a researcher, composing and open administration after a solitary term. He was a beneficiary of a few esteemed honors, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest and most astounding nonmilitary honor.

While conveying an address at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Kalam crumbled and died from heart failure on 27 July 2015, at the age of 83. Thousands including national-level dignitaries went to the memorial service function held in Rameshwaram, where he was buried with full state honors.

Facts

  • APJ Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, into a poor family. His father had only one boat to support his family.

  • Kalam missed a chance to wind up as a military pilot for the Indian Airforce. There were just eight openings and he was on the ninth spot on the rundown.

  • Kalam was the project director for Satellite Launch Vehicles at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Under the guidance of Kalam, India was able to launch the Rohini satellite series into Earth’s orbit.

  • Kalam was honored with many awards, including the highest civilian award in the country, the Bharat Ratna (1997). His other awards include Padma Bhushan in 1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990).

  • Interestingly, he was also honored with doctorates from 40 universities.

  • Inspired by his life, a Bollywood movie was also produced with the title, I Am Kalam.

  • Kalam became the president of the largest democracy of the world that is, India, on July 25, 2002. He was known as the People's President due to his straightforward and rational disposition.

  • Kalam was frisked twice at JFK Airport in New York. He was checked for explosives by the airport staff. This incident was protested by India on the international level.

  • Kalam is the first unmarried president and scientist in India.

  • Kalam valued Dr. Vikram Sarabhai as his mentor. He turned to this other great scientist of Indian origin for advice and support.

  • He gave his presidential pay to philanthropy. He shaped a trust named PURA- Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas, and gave his salary to this trust.

  • Kalam used to sell newspapers when he was a boy and later became the president of the world’s largest democracy. He also pursued and envisioned many things during the course of his life, transforming and inspiring millions of people both locally and globally.

  • On his last day, he was delivering a lecture at IIM, Shillong. He was standing at the podium delivering his speech to hundreds of students when he suffered a cardiac arrest that made him fall to the floor. He always had a passion for teaching and working hard. And at the time when death captured him, he was doing what he loved.

Updated on: 30-Jul-2019

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