APJ ABDUL KALAM

#ashokasays Did you know 104: 

APJ ABDUL KALAM

 
On this day 27-07-2015, we lost our beloved past people's president Dr.Avul Pakhir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. Remembering him, I would like to recollect a few facts about this great man.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or popularly known as APJ Abdul Kalam is one of the finest personalities India has witnessed. He is a lot more than just a political figure. A scientist, thinker and a youth icon. He is truely “The Missile Man” of India. Here are the lesser known facts about APJ Abdul Kalam.

1. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s father was not formally educated and was into the boat building business, he used to ferry people between Dhanuskodi and his hometown of, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

2. Dr. Kalam is a scholar of Thirukkural (a classic of couplets or Kurals). In most of his speeches, he quotes at least one kural.

3. He has written many books, like Wings of Fire.“Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life”reveals his spiritual side. He is also a poet. He has written some poems in Tamil also.

4. He graduated from Madras Institute of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering. He was Project Director at DRDO, where he played major role in the development of India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III).

5. He was also chief executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme(IGMDP), where he was involved in developing many missiles of India including “Agni” and “Prithvi”.

6. He was the Chief Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development (July 1992 to December 1999). Pokhran-2 nuclear tests were conducted under his leadership.

7. He believes in multiple uses of technologies. He used the light weight carbon-compound material designed for Agni to make callipers for the polio affected. This carbon composite material reduced the weight of the calipers to 400 grams (from its original weight of 4kgs.)

8. On Wednesday April 29, 2009, he became the first Asian to be bestowed the Hoover Medal, America’s top engineering prize, for his outstanding contribution to public service. He has also received honorary doctorates from more than 30 universities, including the Carnegie Mellon University of United States.

9. The Government of India has honoured him with the nation’s highest civilian honours: the Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997) for his contribution in ISRO and DRDO and his role as a scientific advisor to the Government of India.

10. Kalam is the third President of India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna before being elected to the chair of President. He is also the first scientist and first unmarried person to become the President of India.