APJ Abdul Kalam, The Missile man of India

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APJ Abdul Kalam, The Missile man of India

APJ Abdul Kalam, The Missileman of India
Avul Pakir Janulabdeen Abdul Kalam was an Indian aerospace scientist. He was the 11th president of India. He is known as the “Missile Man of India” for his work on the development of ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology. He was the awardee of India’s highest civilization award ‘Bharat Ratna’.

Family and Education 

APJ Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in the pilgrimage centre of Rameshwaram on Pamban Island, Madras Presidency, British India (now in Tamil Nadu, India). His father Jainulabdeen Marakayar was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque. His mother was Ashiamma. Kalam’s family belongs to “Marakkar”, a Muslim community of south-east Asia. Though Kalam’s family was poverty-stricken, their ancestors were wealthy traders and landowners. He was the youngest of his five siblings.

Young Kalam was bound to come down to the street to earn money due to poverty. He had to sell newspapers to add to the family income. But the boat business of his father failed and the family fortune and properties were lost over time when the Pamban Bridge was inaugurated in 1914.

Kalam’s schooling was in Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram. He was a very bright and hard-working student and always wanted to learn. Though he had not a great grade sheet, he was very serious about Mathematics and Science.

He graduated from Saint Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli in Physics in 1954. Then he moved to Madras to study aerospace engineering. He got admitted to the Madras Institute of Technology. His dream was to be a fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force. But luck betrayed him. He ranked 9th position in the IAF examination where only eight positions are available.

Kalam was a proud and practising Muslim during his early life. His father, the iman of the local mosque had strictly instilled these Islamic Customs in his children. But Kalam always looked over a combined India where no religious view can dominate the relation among the people of India. He embodied syncretism in appreciating various elements of the many spiritual and cultural traditions of India. That’s why he was very popular as a president even not being a non-political person.

Kalam was well versed in Hindu traditions. He learnt Sanskrit, read the Bhagavad Gita and he was completely a vegetarian.

He considered Pramukh Swami, the Hindu guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sampradaya as his teacher and guru. Kalam was fond of his simplicity and spiritual purity. He stated, “Pramukh Swami has indeed transformed me. He is the ultimate stage of the spiritual ascent in my life.”

Kalam noted his spiritual journey in his final book titled, “Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji”.

In fact, Kalam embodied the best of all the cultural and spiritual traditions that signify India’s immense diversity.

More Read: Biography of CV Raman, The Pride of Indian Science

Research Works

In1960, Kalam became a member of the Defence Research and Development Service (DRDS). Then he joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). There he started his work by designing a small hovercraft.

Under Vikram Sarabhai, he worked on the INCOSPAR committee. The Indian National Committee for Space Research was set up by Sarabhai. The committee took over the responsibilities of the Department of Atomic Energy in space science and research.

Kalam played an important role to launch India’s first satellite. In 1969, he joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). There he was the project director of India’s first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980. At DRDO, Kalam had first started working on an expandable rocket project independently in 1965.

Kalam made an effort to develop the Polar-Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by the ISRO.

Kalam also directed two projects, Project Devil and Project Valiant. Project Devil was one of the two early projects developed by India to produce a short-range surface-to-air missile. The other, Project Valiant also was a liquid-fueled missile project developed by India to produce intercontinental ballistic missiles. Both the projects were successfully implemented in the 1970s.

Kalam and Dr V.S. Arunachalan, metallurgist and scientific adviser to the Defence Minister, worked on the suggestion by the Defence Minister of India, R. Venkatraman on a proposal for simultaneous development of a quiver of missiles one after another. The cabinet under Indira Gandhi allocated 3.88 billion Indian Rupees for the mission, named Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). Kalam was the chief executive of this project.

He was the chief scientific adviser to the Prime Minister and Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from July 1992 to December 1999. He also served as the chief project coordinator along with Rajagopala Chidambaram.

Kalam developed a low-cost coronary stent along with cardiologist Soma Raju, named ‘Kalam-Raju stent’.

Kalam played a major role in developing many missiles under the IGMDP mission including Agni and Prithvi. Agni was an intermediate-range ballistic missile and Prithvi was a tactical surface to surface missile. The Pokhran-II nuclear tests were conducted under him in DRDO. During that time, it played an intensive political and technological role.

Kalam stated that he had identified five areas where India has a core competence for integrated action. Those were:

  • Agricultural and food processing
  • Information and communication technology
  • Education and health care
  • Infrastructure, reliable and quality electric power, surface transport and infrastructure for all parts of the country
  • Self-reliance in critical technologies

Kalam also supported open source technology over proprietary software. Because the use of free software on a large scale would bring the benefits of information technology to more people. He also researched for developing biomedical implants.

Kalam thought India to be a knowledge superpower in his book “India 2020” by the year 2020. He always dreamt that one day India will become a superpower of the world.

More Read: Homi J Bhabha, The Father of Indian Nuclear Physics


11th President of India

APJ Abdul Kalam was the 11th President of India. He was preceded by K.R. Narayanan and succeeded by Pratibha Patil. His term lasted from 25 July 2002 to 25 July 2007.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA), an electoral alliance led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated him for the post of president. Prime Minister Atal Vihari Vajpayee and his senior cabinet colleagues accompanied Kalam to file a nomination. He was announced as the president of India on 18 July 2002 and took office on 25 July. He was also the first scientist and the first bachelor to occupy this post.

Kalam was known as the "People's President". He was not influenced by any political party or any political issue. Rather he preferred to think about peoples' interests. But he was also criticised for his inaction in deciding the fate of 20 out of the 21 mercy petitions submitted to him during his tenure. He also took a controversial decision to impose President's rule in Bihar in 2005.

His presidency ended on 25 July 2007. He also wished to participate in the next presidential election. But due to some political situations, he reversed his decision as he did not want to be involved in any political issue.

Educationalist Kalam

Kalam had an outstanding student life and the remarkable significance of research works. After leaving the President Office, he became a proper educationalist. He served as:
  • Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Anna University
  • Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Visiting Professor at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, the Indian Institute of Management Hyderabad and the Indian Institute of Management Indore.
  • An honorary fellow of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Kalam launched a programme for the youth of India called the "What Can I Give Movement" with a central theme of defeating corruption. He also taught information technology at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, and technology at Banaras Hindu University and Anna University.

He felt comfortable in the company of young brains, So, he set a target of interacting with 100,000 students during the two years after he resigned from the post of scientific advisor in 1999. He intended to share with them experiences, helping them to ignite their imagination and preparing them to work for a developed India.

Death

Kalam died on 27 July 2015. At that time he was delivering a lecture at a conference at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. Suddenly he collapsed and was taken to the nearby Bethany Hospital in a critical case. Kalam was confirmed dead of a sudden cardiac arrest at 7:45 pm.

On 29 July, his body was taken to Rameswaram with full respect and dignity. On July 30, the former president was laid to rest at Rameswaram's Pei Karwmbhu Ground with full state honours. Over 350,000 people attended the last rites.

The government of India declared a seven days state mourning period as a mark of respect. President Pranab Mukherji, Prime minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi and many other national leaders paid tribute to this phenomenal personality.

Apart from that, world leaders from all the countries like President of Russia, Prime minister of Bhutan, Prime minister of Bangladesh, President of Afghanistan, Prime Minister of Nepal, president of Pakistan, President of Sri Lanka, President of the Maldives, president of the UAE, Emir of Dubai expressed condolences and lauded the late statesman.

The President of the United States of America Barack Obama extended, "Deepest condolences to the people of India on the passing of the former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam" and highlighted his achievements as a scientist and as a statesman. Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetian Buddhism expressed his sadness and offered condolences and prayer.

Awards and Recognition

APJ Abdul Kalam is an institution himself. He is a storehouse of knowledge and experience. He had vast experience in science, technology and administration. He was equally successful as a scientist and as an administrator. He was awarded numerous awards for his scientific works and true nationalism.
  • The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1981 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1990.
  • Kalam received "Bharat Ratna", India's highest civilian award in 1997, for his contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology in India.
  • He received the Von Braun Award from the National Space Society in 2013.
  • The Tamil Nadu State Government of India announced his birthday, 15 October as "Youth Renaissance Day"
  • The Tamil Nadu government also initiated the "Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award" for the residents of that state with achievements in promoting scientific growth.
  • On the 84th birth anniversary of Kalam in 2015, the Prime Minister of India released postage stamps commemorating Kalam at the DRDO office.
  • Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) had discovered a new bacterium on the filters of the International Space Station and named it 'Solibacillus kalamii' to honour him. 
  • Kerala Technological University, where Kalam lived for years, was renamed 'APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University'.
  • The Bihar State Government renamed an agricultural college at Kishanganj to 'Dr Kalam Agricultural College' on the day of his funeral.
  • The first medical tech institute of India was named as Kalam Institute of Health Technology at Visakhapatnam.
  • Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Science City is being constructed in Patna.
  • The Uttar Pradesh State Government renamed the Uttar Pradesh Technical University to APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University.
  • APJ Abdul Kalam Planetarium in Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha was named after him
  • The USA and India have launched the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship in 2014.
  • Botanical Survey of India named a newly found plant species as Drypetes Kalamii in his honour.
  • The Aurangajeb Road in New Delhi was renamed to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road in 2015.
  • National Missile Test site in Odisha, Wheeler Island was renamed Abdul Kalam Island in 2015.
  • Kalam won Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration in 1997.
  • He won the Veer Savarkar Award in 1998 from the Government of India.
  • Alwars Research Centre, Chennai awarded him with the Ramanujan's Award in 2000.
  • He won King Charles(ll) Medal in 2007 and Hoover Medal in 2009.
  • California Institute of Technology, USA awarded him with the International Von Karman Wings Award in 2009
  • Science Day of Switzerland was declared on May 26 in honour of APJ Abdul Kalam, who was on a state visit to Switzerland in May 2006.
Kalam received honorary doctorates from almost 40 universities. Hw was also visiting and honorary professor of many institutions. He received-
  • Doctor of Science from the Edinburgh University, the UK in 2014.
  • Doctor of Laws from the Simon Fraser University in 2012
  • Doctor of Engineering from the University of Waterloo in 2010.
  • Honorary doctorate from Oakland University in 2009.
  • Doctor of Engineering from the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2008.
  • Doctor of Science from the Aligarh Muslim University, India in 2008
  • Honorary Doctorate of Science and Technology from the Carnegie Mellon University in 2007.
  • Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Wolverhampton in 2007
Kalam was also an Honorary Professor at Beijing University, China. He was an honorary fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences and a distinguished fellow of the Institute of Directors (India). In 2012, Kalam was ranked 2nd in Outlook India's Poll of the Greatest Indians.

An interesting fact is that a political party named Abdul Kalam Vision India Party was launched in 2016.

Writings and Publications

Kalam wrote many articles and books on space science and rocket technology. He was also a great philosopher and true nationalist. His thoughts, feelings regarding our society and nation have a profound effect on the mind of free-thinking people. And it became possible for his books and lectures. Some of his worthy writings are:
  • Developments in Fluid Mechanics and Space Technology by APJ Abdul Kalam and Roddam Narasimha (1988)
  • India 2020: A vision for the New Millennium by Kalam and Y. S. Rajan (1998)
  • Wings of Fire: An autobiography (1999)
  • Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India (2002)
  • The Luminous Sparks (2004)
  • Mission India (2005)
  • Inspiring Thoughts (2007)
  • Indomitable Spirit
  • Envisioning an Empowered Nation by APJ Abdul Kalam and A Sivathani Pillai.
  • You Are born to Blossom: Take my Journey Beyond by Kalam and Arun Tiwari (2011)
  • Turning Points: A Journey through Challenges (2012)
  • Target 3 Billion by Kalam and Srijan Pal Singh (2011)
  • My Journey: Transforming Dreams in Actions (2014)
  • A Manifesto for Change: A Sequal to India by APJ Abdul Kalam and V Ponraj (2014)
  • Forge Your Future: Candid, Fortright, Inspiring (2014)
  • Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future by APJ Abdul Kalam and Srijan Pal Singh (2015)
  • Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji by Kalam and Arun Tiwari (2015)
  • Advantage India: From Challenge to Opportunity by Kalam and Srijan Pal Singh (2015)
Apart from these, many popular writers write biographies on Kalam. Some of them are: 'Eternal Quest: Life and Times' of Dr Kalam by S Chandra, 'President APJ Abdul Kalam' by RK Pruthi, 'The Kalam Effect: My Years With the President' by PM Nair, 'APJ Abdul Kalam: A Life' by Arun Tiwari, 'The People's President: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam' by SM Khan.

A documentary film "A Little Dream" by P. Dhanapal was featured in 2008 inspired by Kalam's life. Another documentary film "People's President" directed by PankajVyas was also produced by the Government of India in 2016. Two Indian Films "I am Kalam" (2011) and "My Hero Kalam" (2018) were released portraying Kalam's life.


APJ Abdul Kalam was a true patriot and dedicated statesman. His contribution to modern Indian Space Science is invaluable. He has played a key role in modernizing India's defence system. Not only did he stop practising science, but he also spent his whole life speaking on behalf of ordinary people. Even after becoming the President, he did not forget the indivisibility and totality of India. His works inspire thousands of young people all over the world.


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