APJ Abdul Kalam

leadership. He accepted full responsibility for the setback, absolving his colleagues of any wrongdoing, and pushed them to grow from the experience. Kalam and his team did not give up; instead, they painstakingly examined the failure, pinpointed the issues, and worked nonstop to resolve them.

Their diligence paid off. Just one year after the first failure, on July 18, 1980, the SLV-3 launched and successfully placed the Rohini satellite into orbit. This accomplishment not only showed off India's prowess in space technology but also highlighted Kalam's extraordinary leadership and commitment. SLV-3's successful launch signaled a watershed in India's space program and opened the door for more developments.
One of the most cherished memories of Kalam's brilliant career is his unwavering dedication to the cause and his capacity to motivate his team in the face of difficulty. Generations of Indian scientists and engineers have been profoundly impacted by his approach to accepting failure and setting an example.

On October 15, 1931, Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to a modest boat owner and imam. His early upbringing in a household with limited resources instilled in him the virtues of diligence and persistence.

In his hometown, Kalam used to deliver newspapers to help provide for his family. He was a strong student and had a strong interest in science despite these obstacles.

Kalam ranked ninth out of eight candidates for the eight available fighter pilot spots, just missing out on his dream job. He continued to pursue an aeronautics career despite this setback.

After joining the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969, Kalam oversaw the

development of SLV-III, the country's first satellite launch vehicle, which was successful in 1980 in placing the Rohini satellite into near-Earth orbit.

India's missile programs were developed in large part thanks to Kalam. He oversaw the establishment of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), which led to the development of the Agni and Prithvi missiles.

Serving as the Prime Minister's principal scientific advisor in 1998, Kalam played a crucial role in the successful completion of the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, which established India as a nuclear power.

India's President Abdul Kalam took office in 2002 and held the position until 2007. Because of his friendly demeanor and commitment to engaging with the public, particularly students, he was affectionately known as the “People’s President”.

Kalam had a lifelong passion for educating and motivating young people. He wrote a number of books, such as "Wings of Fire," "Ignited Minds," and "India 2020," to inspire young people to set lofty goals and put in a lot of effort.

By 2020, Kalam hoped to have made India a developed country. Infrastructure, education, and technology advancements were all part of his vision. Through his writings and speeches, he persistently promoted this idea.

Kalam kept up his close collaboration with educational institutions even after taking office as president. He passed away on July 27, 2015, while doing what he loved most, which was interacting with students, while giving a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong.