A. P. J.

Abdul Kalam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about the former President of India. For the freedom fighter, see Abul
Kalam Azad.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
BR

11th President of India

In office
25 July 2002 – 24 July 2007
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh
Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
Preceded by K. R. Narayanan
Succeeded by Pratibha Patil
15 October 1931 (age 79)[1]
Born Rameshwaram, Madras Presidency,
Indian Empire
Nationality Indian
Spouse(s) never married
Alma mater Madras Institute of Technology
Profession Aerospace engineer
Religion Islam

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (Tamil: அவுல் பகீர் ைஜனுலாப்தீன்

அப்துல் கலாம்; born 15 October 1931 in Rameshwaram, Madras Presidency, Indian
Empire), usually referred to as Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, was the 11th President of
India, serving from 2002 to 2007.[2] He was elected during the tenure of the National
Democratic Alliance (India) coalition government, under Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee.[3] During his term as President, he was popularly known as the People's
President.[4][5]

Before his term as India's president, he worked as an aeronautical engineer with DRDO
and ISRO. He is popularly known as the Missile Man of India for his work on
development of ballistic missile and space rocket technology.[6] In India he is highly
respected as a scientist and as an engineer.

Kalam played a pivotal organizational, technical and political role in India's Pokhran-II
nuclear test in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974.[7] He is the
chancellor of Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (Thiruvananthapuram), a
professor at Anna University (Chennai), a visiting professor at JSS University in Mysore,
and an adjunct/visiting faculty at many other academic and research institutions across
India.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Political views
• 2 Aerospace engineer
• 3 Awards and honors
• 4 Books and documentaries
• 5 References

• 6 External links

[edit] Political views

In his book India 2020, Abdul Kalam strongly advocates an action plan to develop India
into a knowledge superpower and a developed nation by the year 2020. He regards his
work on India's nuclear weapons program as a way to assert India's place as a future
superpower.

It has been reported that there is a considerable demand in South Korea for translated
versions of books authored by him.[8]

Kalam continues to take an active interest in other developments in the field of science
and technology. He has proposed a research program for developing bio-implants. He is a
supporter of free software over proprietary solutions and believes that the use of free
software on a large scale will bring the benefits of information technology to more
people.[9]
[edit] Aerospace engineer
After graduating in physics from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli, Abdul Kalam
graduated with a diploma in Aeronautical Engineering in the mid-1950s from the Madras
Institute of Technology.[10] As the Project Director, he was heavily involved in the
development of India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III). As Chief
Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (I.G.M.D.P), he
played a major part in developing many missiles in India including Agni and Prithvi
although the entire project has been criticised for being overrun and mismanaged.[11] He
was the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of Defence
Research and Development Organisation from July 1992 to December 1999. Pokhran-II
nuclear tests were conducted during this period and have been associated with Kalam
although he was not directly involved with the nuclear program at the time.

[edit] Awards and honors

On April 29, 2009, he became the first Asian to be bestowed with the Hoover Medal,
America's top engineering prize, for his outstanding contribution to public service. The
citation said that he was being recognised for:

• making state-of-the-art healthcare available to the common man at affordable

prices;
• bringing quality medical care to rural areas by establishing a link between doctors
and technocrats;
• using spin-offs of defense technology to create state-of-the-art medical
equipment; and
• launching tele-medicine projects connecting remote rural-based hospitals to the
super-specialty hospitals.

It added that he was an eminent scientist, a gifted engineer, a visionary, and a

humanitarian.[12]

On 13 September 2009, he was awarded the International von Kármán Wings Award.[13]

The Government of India has honored him with some of the country's highest civilian
awards:

• Padma Bhushan in 1981

• Padma Vibhushan in 1990
• Bharat Ratna in 1997

for his work with the ISRO and DRDO and his role as a scientific advisor to the Indian
government.
Kalam was the third President of India to be honored with a Bharat Ratna before being
elected to the highest office, the other two being Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Zakir
Hussain. He is also the first scientist and first bachelor to occupy the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

After his tenure as the President he is now a visiting professor at J.S.S. University,
Mysore. He has agreed to deliver a minimum of four lectures every year.

[edit] Books and documentaries

Kalam's writings

• Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam by A.P.J Abdul Kalam,

Arun Tiwari; by K. Bhushan, G. Katyal; A.P.j. Pub. Corp, 2002.
• Scientist to President by Abdul A.P.J. Kalam; Gyan Publishing House, 2003.
• Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam;
Penguin Books, 2003.
• India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Y.S. Rajan;
Penguin Books India, 2003.
• India-my-dream by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam; Excel Books, 2004.
• Envisioning an Empowered Nation: Technology for Societal Transformation by
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam; TATA McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Ltd, 2004.
• Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Arun K
Tiwari; Ocean Books, 2005.
• Children Ask Kalam by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam; Pearson Education, ISBN 81-7758-
245-3
• Indomitable Spirit by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, 2006
• The Scientific Indian: A Twenty-first Century Guide to the World around Us by
APJ Abdul Kalam and YS Rajan

Biographies

• Eternal Quest: Life and Times of Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam by S.
Chandra; Pentagon Publishers, 2002.
• President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam by R. K. Pruthi; Anmol Publications, 2002.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: The Visionary of India by K. Bhushan, G. Katyal; A.P.H.
Pub. Corp, 2002.
• A Little Dream (documentary film) by P. Dhanapal; Minveli Media Works Private
Limited, 2008.[14]
• The Kalam Effect: My Years with the President by P.M. Nair; Harper Collins,
2008.
• My Days With Mahatma Abdul Kalam by Fr.A.K. George; ISBN No:978-
8190452953; Publisher: Novel Corporation, 2009.[15]

[edit] References
 1. ^ A Brief Biography of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
2. ^ "Former presidents". Government of India.
http://presidentofindia.nic.in/formerpresidents.html.
3. ^ Bidwai, Praful (23 June 2002). "‘Missile Man’ as India’s President".
http://original.antiwar.com. http://original.antiwar.com/bidwai/2002/06/22/missile-man-
as-indias-president/. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
4. ^ "Kalam was real people's President: President's bodyguards". Hindustan Times. 2007-
07-24. http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?
id=d1dfada8-d9b3-4783-ad6a-44f56165dd9fWho%20will%20be%20India%27s%20next
%20President_Special. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
5. ^ Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (2007-04-14). "The people's President does it again".
Chennai, India: The Hindu.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/14/stories/2007041411130100.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-
27.
6. ^ Pruthi, R. K. (2005). "Ch. 4. Missile Man of India". President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Anmol Publication. pp. 61–76. ISBN 978-8126113446. http://books.google.com/books?
id=Ee3PR5HFBCAC&.
7. ^ Sen, Amartya (2003). "India and the Bomb". In M. V. Ramana and C. Rammanohar
Reddy. Prisoners of the Nuclear Dream. Sangam Book. pp. 167–188. ISBN 978-
8125024774. http://books.google.com/books?id=IjZA-bQde1wC&pg=RA1-PA169&.
8. ^ "Kalam, the author catching on in South Korea".
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=354077.
9. ^ "India leader advocates open source". http://news.cnet.com/India-leader-advocates-
open-source/2100-1016_3-1011255.html.
10. ^ Missile History
11. ^ Pandit, Rajat (9 January 2008). "Missile plan: Some hits, misses". The Times Of India.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Missile_plan_Some_hits_misses/articleshow/2684641
.cms.
12. ^ "Former President Kalam chosen for Hoover Medal". Indiatimes (New York). 27
March 2009. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Kalam-chosen-for-Hoover-
Medal/articleshow/4321760.cms. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
13. ^ Caltech GALCIT International von Kármán Wings Award
14. ^ "Documentary on Kalam released". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2008-01-12.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012550520200.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-
27.
15. ^ My Days With Mahatma Abdul Kalam, ISBN 978-8190452953 Retrieved 2010-07-01

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam - A Site for Inspiration and Nation Building
• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Former President of India
• Profile of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

 Political offices

Preceded by President of India Succeeded by

K. R. Narayanan 25 July 2002 – 25 July 2007 Pratibha Patil

[show]v · d · e Presidents of India

[show]v · d · eBharat Ratna laureates

[show]v · d · eDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Light Combat Aircraft · Advanced Medium Combat

Avionics
Aircraft

HAL HJT-36 · HAL Dhruv · HAL Light Combat

Other HAL programs
Helicopter

Nishant · Rustom · Lakshya · DRDO Kapothaka ·

Unmanned aerial vehicles
DRDO Fluffy · AURA UAV

g-suits, flight suits overalls, helmets, oxygen masks,

Indigenization efforts
gloves and automatic inflatable life jackets.

Small armsINSAS · Vidhwansak · MSMC

Artillery systems andPinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher · M-46

ammunitionCatapult · Bhim-T6

TankArjun MBT · Tank EX · DRDO light tank

Infantry fighting vehicleAbhay IFV

Carrier Mortar Tracked · Armoured Engineer

Reconnaissance Vehicle · Tarmour Armoured Personnel
Other vehicles
Carrier · Light Armoured Vehicle · Kartik BLT · DRDO
Daksh

Electronic warfareSamyukta · Tarang

INDRA · Rajendra Radar · Swordfish Long Range Tracking

Radar · Multi-mode radar · 3D Airborne Warning and Control ·
Radars
Super Vision-2000 · BFSR-SR · 3D-CAR · BEL Weapon
Locating Radar
 AgniI · II · III · V

PrithviI · II · III · Dhanush

SRBMShaurya

SLBMSagarika K-15

Cruise missileNirbhay · BrahMos · HSTDV

Air-to-air missilesAstra BVRAAM

Anti-tank
Nag · CLGM · DRDO Anti Tank Missile
missiles

Surface-to-airAkash · Trishul · Maitri missile · Long range SAM

Air-to-surfaceHelina · BrahMos Air launched Variant

Anti-ballisticPrithvi Air Defence (PAD) · Advanced Air Defence (AAD)

B.D. Kapur · Ranjit Lal Jetley · Ram Narain Agarwal · A. P. J. Abdul

ScientistKalam · A. Sivathanu Pillai · W Selvamurthy · Dr.V.K.Saraswat · M.
sNatrajan · T.S. Subramanian · Dr P.K. Venkatachalam · V. K. Aatre ·
Raja Ramanna · Venkatesan

[show]v · d · eIndian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Bhaskara Satellite series · IRS · Cartosat 1 · Cartosat

Earth observation
2 · Cartosat 2A · Cartosat 3 · Oceansat-2

Indian National Satellite System · GSAT-1 · GSAT-2 ·

Communication
GSAT-3 · GSAT-4 · KALPANA-1

Space observatoryAryabhata · Astrosat

Global positioningIndian Regional Navigational Satellite System

Aditya · Chandrayaan-1 · Chandrayaan-2 · Mars

Extraterrestrial exploration
mission

Expendable launch systemSLV · ASLV · PSLV · GSLV · GSLV-Mk III

 Reusable launch systemAVATAR RLV

Technology demonstrationSRE-1 · SRE-2

Crew vehicleOrbital Vehicle · Indian Space Shuttle Program

Launch vehicleGSLV-IIH

ObservatoriesIndian Astronomical Observatory · Ooty Radio Telescope

InstitutionsNational Atmospheric Research Laboratory

AstronautsRakesh Sharma · Ravish Malhotra

Homi Jehangir Bhabha · Vikram Sarabhai · Satish Dhawan · Raja

Ramanna · Abdul Kalam · Udipi Ramachandra Rao · K.
Scientists
Kasturirangan · G. Madhavan Nair · Mylswamy Annadurai · B. N.
Suresh · K. Radhakrishnan

[show]v · d · eSmiling Buddha (Pokhran-I)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._P._J._Abdul_Kalam"

Categories: 1931 births | Living people | Recipients of the Bharat Ratna | Indian Muslims
| Indian Space Research Organisation people | Defence Research and Development
Organisation | Recipients of the Padma Bhushan | Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan |
Presidents of India | Indian aerospace engineers | Madras Institute of Technology alumni |
Indian scientists | Tamil Nadu politicians | Tamil Nadu scientists | Indian Tamil people
Hidden categories: Articles containing Tamil language text

Personal tools

• Log in / create account

Namespaces

• Article
• Discussion
Variants

Views

• Read
• Edit
• View history

Actions

Search

Navigation

• Main page
• Contents
• Featured content
• Current events
• Random article
• Donate to Wikipedia

Interaction

• Help
• About Wikipedia
• Community portal
• Recent changes
• Contact Wikipedia

Toolbox

• What links here

• Related changes
• Upload file
• Special pages
• Permanent link
• Cite this page

Print/export

• Create a book
• Download as PDF
• Printable version
Languages

• ‫العربية‬
• বাংলা
• Беларуская
• Česky
• Deutsch
• ް ަ‫ދިވެހިބ‬
‫ސ‬
• Eesti
• Ελληνικά
• Español
• Esperanto
• Français
• Galego
• ગુજરાતી
• िहनदी
• Bahasa Indonesia
• Italiano
• ‫עברית‬
• ಕನನಡ
• Lietuvių
• മലയാളം
• मराठी
• Nederlands
• 日本語
• Norsk (bokmål)
• ‫پنجابی‬
• ‫پښتو‬
• Polski
• Português
• Русский
• संसकृत
• Simple English
• Slovenčina
• Suomi
• Svenska
• தமிழ்
• తలుగు
• ไทย
• ‫اردو‬
• Yorùbá
• 中文

• This page was last modified on 1 February 2011 at 09:44.

• Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License;
additional terms may apply. See Terms of Use for details.
 Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-
profit organization.
• Contact us

• Privacy policy
• About Wikipedia
• Disclaimers

•
•