Remembering Dr APJ Abdul Kalam: Rare photos and interesting facts

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Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, an eminent Indian scientist, served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India, Kalam sadly passed away on July 27, 2015, in Shillong.

Dr Abdul Kalam received his early education at Schwartz Higher Secondary School in Ramanathapuram and pursued his passion for physics at St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli. Following the completion of his degree, he embarked on a career at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as a scientist.

He played a pivotal role in the advancement of India's inaugural indigenous satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III) and ballistic missile (Agni and Prithvi), earning the moniker "Missile Man of India" due to his groundbreaking work in missile technology.

In 1992, Dr Kalam assumed the position of Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of India and concurrently held the role of Secretary at the Defense Research and Development Organization.

Later in the year 2002, Dr Kalam was elected as the President of India. During his tenure, he placed a significant emphasis on promoting education, particularly in rural areas, and advocated for leveraging technology to bridge the digital divide.

On July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Dr Kalam suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away. His legacy continues to be a beacon of inspiration for countless individuals globally.

Let's check out Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's rare pics and some interesting facts about the "Missile Man of India":

Dr Kalam was responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration.

(In Pic: Dr Kalam with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi)

Dr Kalam was responsible for the development and operationalisation of Agni and Prithvi missiles

In 1998, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam put forward a countrywide plan called Technology Vision 2020, which he described as a road map for transforming India from a less-developed to a developed society in 20 years

(In Pic: Dr Kalam with former PM Manmohan Singh)