
The eleventh President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, also referred to as the "Missile Man of India," is a man with a wealth of inspirational life stories.Great personalities come along only once in a century and leave a lasting legacy for future generations of millennials. One such outstanding individual in whom we will always take great pride is Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was his full name. He was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Madras Presidency, and passed away in Shillong on July 27, 2015. He was a prominent politician and scientist from India who went on to become the country's eleventh president. He was a key contributor to the advancement of India's nuclear and missile programs.
We are truly honored to have access to his biography, which contains information about this great leader. Without further ado, let's get going.
The successful launch of SLV-3 (Satellite Launch Vehicle-3), India's first indigenous satellite launch vehicle, is one of the fascinating and inspirational tales about A. P. J. Abdul Kalam that I would like to share.
*The 1980 Launch of SLV-3*
Abdul Kalam led the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) SLV-3 mission project in 1979. The intention was to advance India's space program by creating a vehicle capable of launching a satellite into orbit. But the initial attempt to launch the SLV-3 in August 1979 was unsuccessful. The team suffered a devastating setback when the rocket went off course and had to be destroyed in midair.
In spite of the setback, Kalam showed incredible fortitude and 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.
*Inspiring Books Written By Dr APJ Abdul Kalam*
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Publishing Year
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Book
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1998
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India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium
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1999
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Wings of Fire: An Autobiography
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2002
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Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India
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2004
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The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse and Colours
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2005
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5. Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life
6. Mission of India: A Vision of Indian Youth
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2007
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7. Inspiring Thoughts: Quotation Series
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2011
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8. You Are Born to Blossom: Take My Journey Beyond
9. The Scientific India: A Twenty First Century Guide to the World around Us
10. Failure to Success: Legendry Lives
11. Target 3 Billion
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2012
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12. You are Unique: Scale New Heights by Thoughts and Actions
13. Turning Points: A Journey through Challenges
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2013
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14. Indomitable Spirit
15. Spirit of India
16. Thoughts for Change: We Can Do It
17. My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions
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2014
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18. Governance for Growth in India
19. Manifesto for Change
20. Forge Your Future: Candid, Forthright, Inspiring
21. Beyond 2020: A Vision for Tomorrow’s India
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2015
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22. The Guiding Light: A Selection of Quotations from My Favourite Books
23. Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future
24. The Family and the Nation
25. Transcendence My Spiritual Experiences
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Ten noteworthy ones concerning the fabled Indian idols are as follows:
1. *Humble Beginnings*:
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.
2. *Early Struggles*:
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.
3. *Dream of Becoming a Pilot*:
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.
4. *Contribution to ISRO*:
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.
5. *The Missile Man*:
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.
6. *Pokhran-II Tests*:
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.
7. *People's President*:
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”.
8. *Promoting Education*:
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.
9. *Vision for India 2020*:
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.
10. *A Teacher at Heart*:
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.
The life and legacy of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, a man devoted to science, education, and the advancement of India, are reflected in these stories.Read more