APJ Abdul Kalam birthday: India pays tribute to its Missile Man, people’s President
India is today remembering Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam – the person we know as the “Missile Man” of India, on his birth-anniversary. Kalam, who had an illustrious scientific career with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), was the 11th and by far the most popular President of the country.
Kalam was born on October 15, 1931 at Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram and went on to get a degree in aeronautical engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. In 1958, he joined the DRDO. Subsequently, he joined ISRO in 1963. In ISRO, he introduced major changes such as fibre reinforced plastics activities. A strong advocate of self-reliance in defence technology, Kalam rejoined DRDO in 1982.
Kalam played a pivotal role Pokhran-II nuclear test In 1998. Kalam was appointed as the Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary (1992 to 1997) and Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (1999-2001). He was also the Vice President of Astronautical Society of India. Kalam was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and Bharat Ratna in 1997.