A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
Born:15 October 1931
Died:27 July 2015

website: www.abdulkalam.com

• He was an Indian scientist who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.
• He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved in India’s civilian space programme and military missile development efforts.
• His contribution on the launch of vehicle technology and ballistic missile he came to be known as the ‘Missile Man of India’.
• After becoming the President of India, Kalam founded a trust named PURA (Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas) and started donating his salaries and savings to it.
• His autobiography ‘Wings of fire: An Autobiography’ was first published in English and now has been translated into 13 languages.
• He was the recipient of honorary degrees from not one but 40 universities.
• Kalam was the recipient of Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997).
• He is among the three Presidents of India who were felicitated with Bharat Ratna before electing as the President.

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