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APJ Abdul Kalam: How He Became Missile Man of India
Nothing is impossible to achieve or obtain in this world. With dedication, determination, and discipline, one can fulfill all their dreams, no matter how big they are, just like our Former President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, did.
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (Recipient of the Bharat Ratna Award) was born into a small, humble family in Rameshwaram, a small town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As a child, while other children were playing with toys, he dreamt of touching the sky and exploring the unexplored.
Kalam didn't have access to many resources like we have now. But he went against the odds to pursue his dreams and achieve his aspirations. He sold newspapers and helped his father in his work as a ferryman and imam, all while the dreams of flying high in his heart. Kalam studied day and night to excel at academics.
His unwavering dedication helped him secure admission to a prestigious educational institution. After completing his education, he joined ISRO and contributed to various satellite projects. Let's dive deep into this blog to learn more about our former president, aeronautical engineer, and a great author, APJ Abdul Kalam, and how he became the Missile Man of India.
Early Life and Education
As mentioned above, APJ Abdul Kalam's life was not easy; it was full of challenges that he navigated smartly. His father, Jainulabdeen Marakayar, was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque, and his mother, Ashiamma, was a housewife. In his ferry, his father took Hindu pilgrims back and forth between Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi, earning him a meagre income. As a young boy, Kalam used to sell newspapers to help his father feed the family.
If you talk about this education, APJ Abdul Kalam, in his school days, had a strong desire to learn and was particularly interested in Mathematics. He completed his early education at Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram. For his graduation, he chose St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, where he did his graduation in Physics in 1954. Kalam moved to Madras to study aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology in 1955.
Career as a Scientist
Kalam wanted to become a fighter but narrowly missed out on the opportunity due to a limited number of vacancies in the Indian Air Force (IAF). But he didn't give up. He joined ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in 1960 and contributed to various satellite projects, including India's first satellite, Aryabhatta. However, his journey to ISRO was not easy. Kalam served in different positions before joining ISRO.
He was a member of the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) before joining the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. He was unsatisfied with his job at DRDO, and due to this dissatisfaction, Kalam decided to join INCOSPAR and worked under Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned space scientist.
Later, he was transferred to ISRO and was given the role of project director of India's first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III), which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980. Kalam's first independent project was an expandable rocket, and he started working on it at DRDO in 1965. The government approved his project in 1969 and expanded it to include more engineers.
He also played a significant role in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests and served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and Secretary of DRDO from 1992 to 1999. Kalam significantly contributed to India's space program through his work on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects.
Also read about 7 Famous Indian Scientists and their wonderful Inventions
How did APJ Abdul Kalam Become the Missile Man of India?
Kalam earned the title "Missile Man of India" due to his pivotal role in India's missile program development. As the chief executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), he oversaw the creation of various advanced missiles, including:
His strong leadership, scientific knowledge, and commitment to the country's defence played a key role in making India a major missile power. Kalam's contributions to the missile program were significant and helped to enhance India's national security and deterrence capabilities.
Other Contributions of APJ Abdul Kalam
In addition to missile development, APJ Abdul Kalam contributed to various other fields. Here are some of his contributions you must know about:
- Kalam worked with cardiologist Soma Raju to develop a low-cost coronary stent. It was named the "Kalam-Raju Stent." This innovative device helped improve access to affordable healthcare for millions of people in India.
- In 2012, he and Soma Raju designed a rugged tablet computer, known as the "Kalam-Raju Tablet," specifically designed for use in rural areas. This tablet aimed to improve healthcare delivery and access to medical information in remote regions.
- Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. During his tenure, he supported causes such as education, youth empowerment, and rural development. He was known for his accessible and approachable nature. Kalam used his position to inspire and motivate people across the country.
- APJ Abdul Kalam was a passionate advocate for education and youth empowerment. He believed education was the key to India's progress and dedicated much of his time and energy to inspiring young people to pursue their dreams. Kalam delivered countless lectures and wrote several inspirational books, including "Wings of Fire."
In Conclusion
APJ Abdul Kalam was a great engineer and author. He grew up in a middle-class family and worked hard to achieve success. Despite limited resources, he secured admission into a prestigious university and earned an engineering degree. He is known as the “Missile Man of India” for his work on missile development and satellite projects, including India's first satellite, Aryabhatta. You can read about him more in best school in baddi, where you’ll get extensive knowledge about Dr Kalam.
For his contributions to the field of science and defence modernization, he was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. Kalam also made contributions to healthcare, technology, and education. He passed away on 27 July 2015 at the age of 83 from a heart attack while delivering a lecture in Shillong, Meghalaya. Even after his demise, he continues to inspire us with his writings, including Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds, and Indomitable Spirit.
