APJ Abdul Kalam, former President and 'Missile Man of India' (1931-2015)

New Delhi: Former President A P J Abdul Kalam today died in a Shillong hospital following a sudden illness.The former President collapsed during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management here at around 6.30pm and was taken to the hospital.Kalam, a lifelong scientist, was born on 15th October 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. He played vital role in India's 1998 nuclear weapons tests and in July 2002, he became country's 11th President.Kalam came from a family whose financial condition was very bad. He started working at an early age to contribute his family's income. After completing school, Kalam distributed newspapers to financially help his family. He graduated from Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli in 1954 and enrolled at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT). After completing specialization in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology, Kalam took up the position of chief scientist at the Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). He wanted to become a fighter pilot but he placed ninth in qualifiers and only eight positions were available in the Indian Air Force (IAF).Today, Kalam is one of the most distinguished scientists of India. He has contributed immensely both as a scientist and as a President. From DRDO, he was shifted to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). His contribution at the ISRO has been immense. He was responsible for numerous projects such as Project Devil and Project Valiant and launch of the Rohini-1, besides developing missiles under the missions Agni and Prithvi.He has been popularly tagged as the ‘Missile Man of India'.From 1992 until 1999, Kalam was appointed as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the DRDO. It was during this time that Kalam served as the Chief Project Coordinator for Pokhran II nuclear tests.Kalam has authored numerous influential and inspirational books like ‘India 2020', ‘Ignited Minds', ‘Mission India', ‘Inspiring Thoughts' and ‘The Luminous Sparks'. Kalam's 79th birthday was recognised as World Students' Day by the United Nations. He was nominated for the MTV Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003 and in 2006.He has received honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1997.Kalam is known for his motivational speeches and interaction with the student community in India. Currently, he serves as a visiting professor in various institutes and universities of India.He launched his mission for the youth of the nation in 2011 called the ‘What Can I Give Movement' with a central theme to defeat corruption in India.In the 2011 Hindi film ‘I Am Kalam', Kalam is portrayed as an extremely positive influence to a poor but bright Rajasthani boy named Chhotu, who renames himself Kalam in honour of his idol.Kalam focus is on transforming India into a developed nation by 2020.From the son of a boat-maker to the President of India, Kalam's incredible journey is an inspiration for many. He summed up his journey, which is continuing even after he left the office of the President, in his own modest words:“I will not be presumptuous enough to say that my life can be a model for anybody; but some poor child living in an obscure place in an underprivileged social setting may find a little solace in the way my destiny has been shaped.”