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Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Biography
Great personalities are not born every day; they are born once in a century and are remembered for millennials to come. One such great personality that we will always be proud of is APJ Abdul Kalam. His full name was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
Kalam was the eleventh President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007. He was born on May 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics as well as aeronautical engineering. In 2002, APJ Abdul Kalam was chosen as India’s 11th President, Having backing from both the ruling Bharatiya Janata as well as the opposing Indian National Congress After his one tenure as President, APJ Abdul Kalam resumed civilian life in teaching, writing, and public service.
APJ Abdul Kalam Wiki Profile
| Full Name | Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam |
| Birth Date | October 15, 1931 |
| Birth Place | Rameswaram, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Parents | Jainulabdeen Marakayar and Ashiamma |
| Death | July 27, 2015 |
| Political Affiliations | National Democratic Alliance (NDA) |
| Profession | Aerospace Scientist, Author |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna, Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration, Veer Savarkar Award, SASTRA Ramanujan Prize |
| Field | Aerospace Engineering |
| Institutions | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) |
| Alma Mater | St Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli (BEng), Madras Institute of Technology (MEng) |
| Office | Former President of India |
More read: Biography of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Hindi
APJ Abdul Kalam Early Life
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1981, to a Tamil Muslim family in the pilgrimage center of Rameswaram on Pamban Island. It was then in the Madras Presidency under British India and is now in the State of Tamil Nadu.
APJ Abdul Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen Marakayar was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque while his mother Ashiamma was a housewife. His father also owned a ferry that took Hindu pilgrims back and forth between Rameswaram and the now uninhabited Dhanushkodi.
APJ Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one sister in his family. His family had been wealthy Marakayar traders and landowners, with numerous properties and large tracts of land. With the opening of the Pamban Bridge to the mainland in 1914, however, the businesses failed and the family fortune and properties were lost over time, apart from the ancestral home.
As a young boy Kalam had to sell newspapers in order to support his family which was poverty-stricken and was surviving on a meager income.
APJ Abdul Kalam Education
APJ Abdul Kalam in his school years had average grades, however, he was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn. He spent hours on his studies, particularly mathematics. After completing his education at Schwartz Higher secondary school, Abdul Kalam went to attend St. Joseph’s College and graduated in Physics in 1954. He then moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace engineering in the Madras Institute of Technology.
APJ Abdul Kalam as a Scientist
After graduating from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, APJ Abdul Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist after becoming a member of the Defence Research and Development Service. He started his career by designing a small hovercraft, however, remained unconvinced by his job at DRDO.
In 1969, APJ Abdul Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) where he was the project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980.
APJ Abdul Kalam was also invited by Raja Ramanna to witness the country’s first nuclear test, Smiling Buddha, as the representative of TBRL, even though he had not participated in its development.
Abdul Kalam Achievements
| Year | Awards |
| 1981 | Padma Bhushan |
| 1990 | Padma Vibhushan |
| 1997 | Bharat Ratna and Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration |
| 1998 | Veer Sarvarkar Award |
| 2007 | King Charles II Medal (Royal Society, UK) |
| 2014 | Doctor of Science (Edinburgh University, UK) |
Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam’s Biography – Some Interesting Facts
Let us now study some interesting facts about Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam:
- His full name was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.
- He was born in a Tamil Muslim Family.
- Kalam was a vegeterian. In his words “I was forced to become a vegetarian due to financial constraints, but I eventually came to enjoy it.” Today, I am a complete vegetarian”
- He was India’s ‘first bachelor President.
- He was very popular among children.
- Kalam’s autobiography ‘Wings of Fire was initially published in English Language but then later published in 13 other languages.
Although the life of Abdul Kalam was filled with struggles and hardships, he rose above the adversaries to become one of the greatest scientists of modern India. His role in nation-building will be remembered till posterity.
FAQs Related to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
What is the full form of APJ in APJ Abdul Kalam?
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam Is The Full Name Of Dr. Kalam.
Why is Dr. APJ Abdul kalam is known as the Missile Man of India?
APJ Abdul Kalam Is Known As The Missile Man Of India For His Work On The Development Of Ballistic Missiles And Launch Vehicle Technology.
Where was Dr. APJ Abdul kalam born?
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Was Born On October 15, 1981 To A Tamil Muslim Family In The Pilgrimage Center Of Rameswaram On Pamban Island.
What are the other names given to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam?
APJ Abdul Kalam Is Also Known As “People’s President” And “Missile Man Of India”.
Why is Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam famous?
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Is The Indian Scientist Who Played A Leading Role In The Development Of India’s Missile And Nuclear Weapon Programs.