Happy Birthday People's President

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen "A. P. J." Abdul Kalam was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. A career scientist turned reluctant politician, Kalam was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering. 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 program and military missile development efforts.

In his school years, Kalam had average grades but was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn. He spent hours on his studies, especially mathematics. He moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology. While Kalam was working on a senior class project, the Dean was dissatisfied with his lack of progress and threatened to revoke his scholarship unless the project was finished within the next three days. Kalam met the deadline, impressing the Dean, who later said to him, "I was putting you under stress and asking you to meet a difficult deadline". He narrowly missed achieving his dream of becoming a fighter pilot, as he placed ninth in qualifiers, and only eight positions were available in the IAF.

From the above passage, we can conclude that "he might have failed many times, but the dedication took him to the place he deserved". If we can apply the same theory in our lives then nothing will be impossible to achieve. All the books he has written were either based on the real experiences or his vision to take India forward. If you ever get some time, then do read his books becuase these might bring a change in your life. Below are some famous books written by him.

• Ignited Minds
• Wings of FireIndia 2020
• Turning Points
• Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji
• Spirit of India
• Mission India
• THE SCIENTIFIC INDIAN: A Twenty-First Century Guide to the World Around Us
• Chhua Asman (atmkatha)
• Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future
• Evolution of Enlightened Societies

Events in the country to mark his birthday

• Abdul Kalam International Foundation launched - Family members of APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, plan to take forward his dream through a foundation named after him.
• Sand Sculpture of APJ Abdul Kalam - Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture of former president APJ Abdul Kalam on Puri beach on the eve of his birth anniversary as a mark of honour.
• PM Narendra Modi to unveil APJ Abdul Kalam's Statue - Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a statue of late former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on Thursday to mark his 84th birth anniversary.
• 'Naalaya India'(Tomorrow’s India) movement launched on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday - The aim of Naalaya India is to bring the youth together for change in society. This is in line with late president's dream of making India a developed country by 2020.
• Government to rename missile complex after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam - The government has decided to rename the prestigious missile complex in Hyderabad 'Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex' in honour of the late President.
• The proposed university being set up in Kerala for the promotion of technical education, will be named after late Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
• UPTU to be named APJ Abdul Kalam University - The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to name the Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU) in the name of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
• It was in the year 2010, when the United Nations decided to honour this 'great scientist' on his 79th birth anniversary and declared his birthday on October 15 as the ‘World Students' Day’.

Questions based on Dr. Abdul Kalam

Q. When was Dr. Kalam conferred with Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan?

Ans. 1997 - Bharat Ratna, 1990 - Padma Vibhushan and 1981 - Padma Bhushan

Q. What is the name of the autobiography of Dr. Kalam?

Ans. Wings of Fire

Q. The Hindi Film, I am Kalam, inspired by his life was directed by?

Ans. Nila Madhab Panda

Q. Dr. Kalam was the _______ President of India?

Ans. 11th

Q. What is the house hold name given to Dr. Kalam in DRDO?

Ans. Missile Man