The life journey of APJ (Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen) Abdul Kalam is an inspiration to many young scientists. You know people who are desired to become a scientist, he is one of the best role models then and now.
His remarkable excellence and achievements helped a lot in India’s development in terms of technology. His life story and biography show wonders to the present younger generation and enable them to lead a disciplined life to fulfill their dreams.
Abdul Kalam biography:
He was the youngest son to Mr. Jainulabdeen (a boat owner and Imam of a local mosque) and Mrs. Ashiamma (a housewife) and was born on October 15th, 1931 at Rameswaram Tamilnadu.
Even though he was brought up in a middle-class background, he proved his excellence in his academics. Coming to his siblings, he has a sister and four brothers. He faced many obstacles in his childhood and worked as a paperboy at a very young age to help his family financially.
Moreover, he worked very hard to fulfill his dream of becoming an aeronautical engineer since his childhood. He is a vegetarian and well-disciplined. He always says that he learned a lot of good qualities like honesty, and discipline from his father. And qualities like being kind, and belief in goodness are learned from his mother.
Educational background of Kalam:
He had done his schooling at Schwartz higher secondary school in Ramanathapuram. Later he graduated in physics from St.josephs College Tiruchirapalli in 1954. After that, in 1955 he shifted to the madras institute of Technology Chennai to study aerospace engineering and completed it in 1960.
Kalam’s Professional journey:
He started his professional journey in 1960 as a scientist at the aeronautical development establishment of DRDO (defence research and development organization). He used to design tiny hovercrafts at the beginning of his career. Moreover in 1965 at DRDO, Kalam worked out on independently on a rocket project. And later he is not satisfied with his job. So he then transferred to ISRO (Indian space research organization) in the year 1969.
Achievements and Records in ISRO:
- Initially, his contributions towards the SLV-111 satellite launch vehicle development in July 1980 is extraordinary, and deployed the ROHINI satellite successfully in space. Here Kalam headed this creation. From the mid-1970 to the 1990s, Kalam successfully launched PSLV (polar satellite launch vehicle) satellite as well.
- His valuable contributions to ISRO are incredible in his entire career. Almost he continues his services to ISRO for about 20 years. Kalam headed over many projects in ISRO after slv-111 success.
- Coming to point, after the successful launch of SLV-111, he concentrated on developing ballistic missiles like Agni and Pruthvi with the assistance of his other project members. Later on, he focused on developing Dhanush, Trishul, and Prahaar ballistic missiles. On successful implementation of these missiles honored Kalam as a missile man of India.
- Kalam’s directorship of conducting nuclear tests has earned incredible recognition as a nuclear-armed India. He conducted several nuclear tests between the years 1992 to 1999’s. You know in 1998, he also headed over the successful organization of a nuclear test namely Pokhran-11. Without the support of Kalam, this mission is impossible and it’s a great challenge to other countries with the success of the Pokhran nuclear test.
And many more:
- He also headed over many Indian soldiers. And he worked as a chief scientific advisor to India’s prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee from July 1992 to December 1999 and also served as a secretary of DRDO simultaneously.
- In 2002, many political parties like the Bharatiya Janatha Party and the Indian national congress supported and elected APJ Abdul Kalam as the eleventh president of India. His achievements in developing several ballistic missiles enabled and honored him with due respect on behalf of the Indian government.
Awards and rewards of Abdul Kalam:
- Kalam received almost seven doctorates from forty universities. In the year 1981, Kalam is awarded with Padma Bhushan.
- After that in the 1990s, he is awarded Padma Vibhushan for his services in ISRO and DRDO.
- In 1997, his contributions to scientific research and modernization in Indian defence led him to receive the prestigious and honourable Bharat Ratna award. In the same year, he received the Indira Gandhi Award for national integration.
- In 1998, he received a Veer Savarkar award and many more.
- You know 15th October of every year is celebrated as youth renaissance day and this special day is a tribute to Kalam which was announced by the Tamilnadu state government. Moreover, on the occasion of Kalam’s birthday, the current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released postage stamps in DRDO as a note of tribute to Abdul Kalam.
Abdul Kalam’s writings:
Kalam is an excellent writer and he wrote many inspirational books. You know students are inspired a lot by his writings and one of his books ‘Wings of Fire’ is worthy.
Some of his books like my journey, ignited Minds, mission India, the life tree, etc. His writing created such a great impact on everyone who reads these books thoroughly. Most of his inspirational books have been translated into all Indian languages.
Some more interesting facts:
Kalam loves students a lot and he always mesmerizes them with his powerful and inspiring speeches. He calls the younger minds to ‘think big’. He interacts with students more and answers their queries more admiringly.
His remarkable quotations in the seminars are extremely outstanding and courageous. You know in one seminar during the interaction with the students, one of his quotations remarks as extraordinary. It portrays the meaning like; dream and dream big.
And that converts into thoughts and then makes them into actions finally. So here if you dream about something great, it is not your fault. It makes you think creatively and innovate something that makes your country proud. His speeches occupied such a great impact on present younger minds as well.
He always believed an advanced technology in any field will eradicate poverty and unemployment in India. He is entirely positive-minded and wants to travel across India to share his ideologies for the successful development of technology.
Conclusion:
His contributions, services, and all are remarkable then and now. He died on 27th July 2015 due to cardiac arrest while giving his lecture on IIM (Indian Institute of Management) Shillong.
His obstacles, achievements, hard work, effort, the motive of learning mistakes from failures, inspiring youngsters through his speeches, and whatnot? It is an amazing biography of Kalam. His 83 years of Kalam’s life journey is a lesson to the present generation which called him a ‘People’s president’ for his services in the Indian nation.
By: Swaroopa Manthri
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