APJ ABDUL KALAM

By: K. Pallavi

Birth

• A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in India on October 15, 1931 in a Tamil Muslim family to Jainulabudeen, a boat owner and Ashiamma, a housewife, at Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District, located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Childhood• He came from a poor background

and started working at an early age to supplement his family's income.

• After completing school, Kalam distributed newspapers to financially contribute to his father's income.

• In his school years, he had average grades, but was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn and spend hours on his studies, especially mathematics.

• He was just a simple man with a great fierceful heart in his childhood Kalam house

Kalam career • After graduating from Madras

Institute of Technology (MIT – Chennai) in 1960, Kalam joined Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. Kalam started his career by designing a small helicopter for the Indian Army

• In 1969, Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Presidency• Kalam served as the 11th

President of India• He served from 25 July 2002 to

25 July 2007.• Kalam was the third President of

India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, before becoming the President.

• He was also the first scientist and the first bachelor to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan.

• During his term as President, he was affectionately known as the People's President.

Future India: 2020• In his book India 2020, Kalam

strongly advocates an action plan to develop India into a knowledge superpower and a developed nation by the year 2020.

• five areas where India has a core competence for integrated action: (1) agriculture and food processing; (2) education and healthcare; (3) information and communication technology; (4) infrastructure, reliable and quality electric power, surface transport and infrastructure for all parts of the country; and (5) self-reliance in critical technologies. These five areas are closely inter-related and if advanced in a coordinated way, will lead to food, economic and national security.

Popular culture

• Kalam launched his mission for the youth of the nation called the What Can I Give Movement with a central theme to defeat corruption. He also has interests in writing Tamil poetry and in playing veenai, a South Indian string instrument

Awards, Titles and honours• He has also received honorary

Doctorates from 40 universities.

• The Government of India has honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1981 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1990

• In 1997, Kalam received India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna,

• 1997Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration

• 1998 Veer Savarkar Award.• 2000 Ramanujan Award

Student’s Day

• A P J Abdul Kalam's 79th birthday was recognised as World Student's Day by United Nations.

Kalam's writings

• India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium • Wings of Fire: An Autobiography• Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India • The Luminous Sparks • Mission India• Inspiring Thoughts• Indomitable Spirit• Envisioning an Empowered Nation• You Are Born To Blossom: Take My Journey Beyond• Turning Points: A journey through challenges• Target 3 Billion• My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions • A Manifesto for Change: A Sequel to India 2020

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