New Delhi: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is one of the greatest scientists in the history of India. He is also known as the Missile Man of India as he played a crucial role in the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. His efforts in developing India’s missile strength and in other fields including the nuclear testing in 1998 have made him one of the greatest sons of this country. Today is his birth anniversary, and we take a look at some facts about him.
What is the full name of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam?
His full name is Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. The aerospace scientist and statesman was born and raised in Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram.
How was his career as a scientist?
Abdul Kalam is one of the most decorated scientists in the history of India. For almost 40 years, he served our country as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In the post-Independence era when India was looking to become a powerhouse in the global map, he played one of the crucial roles in developing the military missile development efforts and civilian space programme of our country.
Kalam was instrumental in developing many missiles under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) including Prithvi, the tactical surface-to-surface missile, and Agni, an intermediate-range ballistic missile. His work on developing ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology earned him the name ‘Missile Man of India’. He was also a key figure in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, India’s first nuclear test since 1974.
How was he as the Preisdent of India?
Abdul Kalam served as the 11th president of India after K. R. Narayanan and he was in the office from July 25, 2002, to July 25, 2007. He was called the ‘People’s Presiden’ and famously signed the Office of Profit Bill. However, critics have called out his inaction over 20 out of the 21 mercy petitions submitted to him. Also, in 2005, he imposed the President’s Rule in Bihar.
Notably, Kalam was honoured with Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. It made him the third Indian President to have been honoured with it, after Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in 1954 and Zakir Husain in 1963. Also, Kalam was the first scientist and the first bachelor to helm the Rashtrapati Bhawan. On July 27, 2015, he collapsed and died from an apparent cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong at the age of 83. Thousands of people attended the funeral ceremony held in his hometown of Rameswaram.
Abdul Kalam is also known as the Missile Man of India as he played a crucial role in the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
