A.P.J.

Abdul Kalam Biography

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, is also
popularly known as the Missile Man. This biography provides
information about his profile and life.
Quick Facts
Famous as

President of India, Scientist

Nationality

Indian

Born on

15 October 1931 AD

Zodiac Sign

Libra

Born in

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

Served as the 11th President of India, was

Works &
Chief Project Coordinator for Pokhran II nuclear
Achievements
tests.

Little did Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma know that their son would
grow up to be the first citizen of India. An Indian scientist and
administrator, Kalam served as the 11th President of India from

2002 until 2007. One amongst the most respected people of the
country, Kalam has contributed immensely both as a scientist
and as a president. His contribution at the Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO) has been immense. He was
responsible for numerous projects such as Project Devil and
Project Valiant and launch of the Rohini-1, besides developing
missiles under the missions Agni and Prithvi. For the same, he
has been popularly tagged as the Missile Man of India. Kalam
has been honored with great laurels and awards for his work by
both the Government of India and other countries. Currently,
Kalam serves as a visiting professor in various esteemed
institutes and universities of India.
Childhood & Early Life
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born to Jainulabdeen and
Ashiamma on October 15, 1931. He came from a family
whose financial conditions werent sound enough. As a
means to support his familys meagre income, Kalam took
up odd jobs in his childhood but never gave up on his
education.
He graduated from Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli
in 1954 but not satisfied with his degree, he left for
Madras later next year to study aerospace engineering.
He enrolled at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT ).
Care e r
After graduating from MIT, Kalam took up the position of
chief scientist at the Aeronautical Development
Establishment of Defense Research and Development
Organization (DRDO). However, the profile didnt appeal
Kalam much who shifted to the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) where he was the project director of
India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
His years at the ISRO were the most crucial ones, as they
left a lasting impact on him. Kalam lead many projects and
turned out to be successful each time.
In the 1970s, Kalam directed two projects, namely, Project

Devil and Project Valiant, which sought to develop ballistic

missiles from the technology of the successful SLV
programme.
A milestone was achieved when locally built Rohini-1 was
launched into space, using the SLV rocket. Upon watching
the raving success of Kalam, the government agreed for
initiation of an advanced missile program under his
directorship. He played a pivotal role in developing
missiles under the missions Agni and Prithvi.
Kalam was the Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided
Missile Development Program (I.G.M.D.P) which
researched in simultaneous development of a quiver of
missiles instead of taking planned missiles one by one.
From 1992 until 1999, Kalam was appointed as the Chief
Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary
of Defence Research and Development Organisation. It
was during this time that Kalam served as the Chief
Project Coordinator for Pokhran II nuclear tests, after
which he was fondly called the Missile Man of India .
Kalam succeeded K. R. Narayan to serve as the 11th
President of India from 2002 until 2007. It was a highly
one-sided contest. With his appointment, Kalam became
the first scientist and first ever bachelor to occupy the
Rastrapati Bhawan.
During his tenure as a President, Kalam was both
appreciated and criticised. T he latter was mostly due to
his inaction in deciding the fate of 20 mercy petitioners.
In addition to all the profiles that Kalam holds, he has
authored numerous influential and inspirational books.
Amongst all his books, India 2020 was the widely read
and appreciated one. It forecasted an action plan which
advocated India turning into a knowledge superpower and
as one of the developed nations of the world by the year
2020. His other books include, Ignited Minds , Mission
India , Inspiring T houghts and T he Luminous Sparks .
In 2011, he launched his mission for the youth of the

nation called the What Can I Give Movement with the

main aim to defeat corruption in India.
Currently, Kalam serves as the visiting professor in
various esteemed institutes and universities of India, such
as Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Indore,
Chancellor of Indian Institute of Space Science and
Technology T hiruvananthapuram, Aerospace Engineering
at Anna University (Chennai), JSS University (Mysore).
Aw ards & Achie v e m e nts
Kalam is the proud recipient of Padma Bhushan, Padma
Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna awards from the Government
of India. He received the same in the years 1981, 1990
and 1997, respectively.
In 1997, he was honored by the Government of India with
the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration.
Later, the next year, he was awarded the Veer Savarkar
Award by the Government of India.
T he Alwars Research Centre, Chennai bestowed Kalam
with the Ramanujan Award in the year 2000.
Kalam was honored with the King Charles II Medal by the
Royal Society, U.K in 2007.
T he California Institute of Technology, U.S.A presented
Kalam with the International von Krmn Wings Award in
the year 2009. Same year, he won the Hoover Medal by
ASME Foundation, USA.
T he IEEE honored Kalam with IEEE Honorary Membership
in 2011.
Kalam is the proud recipient of honorary doctorates from
40 universities.
In addition to this, Kalam's 79th birthday was recognised
as World Students' Day by United Nations.
He was nominated for the MT V Youth Icon of the Year
award in 2003 and in 2006.