Dr. A.J.P. Abdul Kalam

Dr. A.J.P. Abdul Kalam is the chief architect of India’s missile programme.

The name Dr.Abdul Kalam and Indian missile have become synonymous.This is the reason why Abdul Kalam has earned nick name the “Missile Man”.

Dr. Kalam has devoted his life to building up India’s missile defense technology to be on a par with other developed countries.It was Dr.Kalam’s hard work and perseverance that India has successful tested missiles like Agni and Prithvi which have put China and Pakistan within the reach of India’s missile range.

Dr.Kalam graduated in science from St.Joseph’s College in Tiruchi.He completed his DMIT in Aeronautical Engineering at the MIT,Madras.Later,Dr. Kalam joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL),Bangalore,as a trainee.In 1958 Dr. Kalam joined the Directorate of Technical Development and Production(DTD & P) in the post of senior scientific assistant,where he worked at the Technical Center(Civil Aviation).

Under the able guidance of Dr.Neelakantan,director of DTD & P,Dr. Kalam worked on designing the models of combat aircraft.After three productive years Dr.Kalam was sent to lead a team out at the Aeronautical Development Establishment(ADE) in Bangalore,where he worked as a senior scientific assistant.Dr.Kalam and his small team of young scientist developed a prototype hovercraft.It was India’s first ever indigenously made hovercraft which was driven by Dr.Kalam himself.Dr. Kalam was made director of DRDO in 1982,where he was at the helm of India’s most ambitious defense project,the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme  (IGMDP).The IGMDP had programmed five measure project to consolidate India’s defense capability and they were scheduled to be completed in 10 years time .

The successful launch of Nag,Prithvi,Akash,Trishul and Agni firmly established India’s reputation in the eyes of developed countries as a force to be reckoned with,and the full of credit goes to Dr.Kalam.                                                                      Life took a new turn when Dr.Kalam was sworn in as the 11th President of India.

AVUL PAKIR JAINULABDEEN ABDUL KALAM,popularly known as Abdul Kalam ,was born on 15th October 1931 at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu.Abdul Kalam was born into a middle class Tamil family. As a young boy Kalam was very fascinated by the flight of birds.At seeing birds flying freely in the sky was fulfilled when he became the first man from Rameshwaram to fly an aircraft.

His father,Jainulabudeen didn’t have any formal education,he was a man of great wisdom and intelligence also.He was a very religious man and believed in the service of humanity.He naturally Jainulabudden would take his son Kalam to the mosque where the father will seat for prayers to Allah,sitting in a corner,and very curious,his little son,Kalam would watch his father in a amazement.

Although there were many members in the family,Kalam’s childhood was spend in relative ease and comfort.He was the beloved son of his father.

Kalam has primary education in the Rameswaram Elementary School.At the age of 15 he joined the Schwartz High School in Ramanathapuram.Teachers at the Schwartz High School were very gentle and encouraged him to do something very special in life.Mr.Soloman would often tell to his students not to get disappointed at the failures and said we must learn a lesson from a mistakes and failure.Kalam was one of the favorite student of Mr.Soloman.Abdul Kalam completed his high school education at the Schwartz High School,and then joined St.Joseph’s College,Tiruchchirappalli,in 1950 at the age of 19.

During his time in St.Joseph College,he shared his room with two other students from different religious backgrounds.In spite of this,these students were very cooperative and helpful to each other.Kalam lived in St.Joseph’s College for four years.While living in St.Joseph’s college,Kalam came very close to the revered Father T.N Sequeira,who used to teach English,it was due to Sequeria that Kalam began to like English literature and started reading Tolstoy,Scott,Milton,Hardy,and so on.Kalam even wrote some poems in Tamil and English.One of the poems that Kalam wrote in the memory of his mother is given here.