A P J Abdul Kalam: The ‘Missile Man’ who taught India to dream

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam, a popular head of state between 2002 and 2007, died today after he collapsed during a lecture in Shillong. (Source: Express Photo by Prashant Nadkar)

The former President collapsed during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong at around 6.30pm and was taken to the hospital. (Source: Express Photo by Ramesh Nair)

Popularly called the “Missile Man” of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam rose from humble beginnings and earned the reputation of being the “people’s President” who endeared himself to all all sections, especially the young.

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in Jan 2015. (Source: PTI)

A devout Muslim and son of a boatowner, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who assumed office as the 11th President on July 18, 2002, was seen as a figurehead who could help heal some of the scars of the communal riots which broke out in Gujarat just a few months before.

APJ Abdul Kalam with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi in Sep 2004. (Source: PTI)

The country’s first bachelor President, Kalam, whose flowing grey hair is seen as being at odds with what Indians thought a president ought to look like, was one amongst the most respected people of the country who contributed immensely both as a scientist and as a president.

APJ Abdul Kalam with President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi in Dec 2014. (Source: PTI)

Born and raised in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu on October 15, 1931, Kalam, who is known for having a unique style, joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after studying physics and aerospace engineering after graduatingfrom Madras Institute of Technology.

APJ Abdul Kalam with US President Barack Obama in New Delhi in Jan 2015. (Source: PTI)

Acknowledged as the driving force behind India’s quest for cutting-edge defence technologies, Kalam’s contributions to India’s satellite programmes, guided and ballistic missiles project, nuclear weapons programme and the Light Combat Aircraft(LCA) project made him a household name.

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam with Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in New Delhi in Nov 2012. (Source: PTI)

Kalam, who received seveeral prestigious awards including Bharat Ratna, played a crucial role when India tested its nuclear weapons at Pokhran in 1998 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

APJ Abdul Kalam with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003. (Source: PTI)

A vegetarian bachelor, Kalam was quoted as saying that like most of the technology he spearheaded, he himself was”Made in India”, having never been trained abroad.

APJ Abdul Kalam with Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg in September, 2004. (Source: PTI)