A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was a renowned Indian scientist and politician who played a leading role in the development of India's missile and nuclear weapons programs. He was also the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007 and was popularly known as the People's President for his humble and inspirational personality. Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, a town in Tamil Nadu, India. His father was a boat owner and his mother was a housewife. He had four elder siblings and grew up in a poor but loving family. He was interested in science and mathematics from a young age and studied aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology. Kalam started his career as a scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1960, where he worked on designing a hovercraft. He later joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969, where he became the project director of India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in orbit in 1980. Kalam returned to DRDO in 1982 and became the chief executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), which aimed to develop five missiles for different purposes: Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul and Nag. He was also involved in the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) at ISRO. Kalam played a key role in conducting the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, which established India as a nuclear weapon state. He also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation from 1992 to 1999. In 2002, Kalam was nominated by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as their presidential candidate. He won the election with an overwhelming majority and became the 11th President of India on 25 July 2002. He was the third President of India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, before becoming the President. As President, Kalam was widely admired for his vision, integrity and humility. He interacted with students and youth across the country and inspired them to pursue their dreams and contribute to the nation's development. He also advocated for scientific and technological innovation, rural development, environmental protection and universal education. Kalam died on 27 July 2015 at the age of 83, after collapsing while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. His death was mourned by millions of Indians and people around the world. He was buried with full state honours at his hometown Rameswaram on 30 July 2015. Kalam is remembered as one of the most influential and respected figures in Indian history. He has been honoured with several awards and recognitions, both nationally and internationally, for his achievements and contributions to science, technology, society and humanity.