Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam

APJ ABDUL KALAM BIOGRAPHY: Abul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam born 15 October 1931) usually referred to as A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, is an Indian scientist and administrator who served as the 11th President of India.Kalam was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and completed his studies in aerospace engineering at Madras Institute of Technology (MIT – Chennai). Before his term as President, he worked as an aerospace engineer with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).[2] Kalam is popularly known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and space rocket technology.[3] He played a pivotal organizational, technical and political role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974. Many scientific experts have however called Kalam a man with no authority over "nuclear physics" but who just carried on the works of Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai.[4]He was elected president of India in 2002, defeating Lakshmi Sahgal, and was supported by both National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and BJP, then major political party of India. He is currently a visiting professor at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Management Indore, Chancellor of Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at Anna University (Chennai), JSS University (Mysore), and an adjunct/visiting faculty at many other academic and research institutions across India.

Early life and education

Kalam was born on 15 October 1931, at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, the son of Jainulabdeen, a boat owner and Ashiamma, a housewife.[5][6][7][8] He came from a poor background and started working at an early age to supplement his family's income.[9] He was brought up in a multi-religious environment but did follow a religious routine. As a child, he had a discipline of starting the day at 4:00 am following the footsteps of his father[7] to do homework before going to school to attend mathematics classes.[10] After completing school, Kalam distributed newspapers in order to financially contribute to his father's income.[9] In his school years, he had average grades, but was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn and who spent hours on his studies, especially mathematics.[10]"I inherited honesty and self-discipline from my father; from my mother, I inherited faith in goodness and deep kindness as did my three brothers and sisters."—A quote from Kalam's autobiography[7]After completing his school education at the Rameshwaram Elementary School, Kalam went on to attend Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli where he graduated in physics[9] in 1954. Towards the end, he was not enthusiastic about the subject, and would later regret the four years he studied it.[10] He then moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace engineering.[8][10] While Kalam was working on a senior class project, the Dean was dissatisfied with the lack of progress and threatened the revoking of his scholarship unless the project was finished within the next two days.[10] He worked tirelessly on his project, and met the deadline, impressing the Dean who later said, "It was a test, and under extreme stress, Kalam met a difficult deadline to complete the project".[10]

After graduating from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT – Chennai) in 1960, Kalam joined Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defense Research and Development Organization as a chief scientist. There, Kalam started his career by designing a small helicopter for the Indian Army, but remained unconvinced with the choice of his job.[10] Kalam was also part of the INCOSPAR committee working under Vikram Sarabhai.[8] In 1969, Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) where he was the project director of India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near earth orbit in July 1980. Joining ISRO was one of Kalam's biggest achievements in life and he is said to have found himself when he started to work on the SLV project. Kalam first started work on an expandable rocket project independently at DRDO in 1965.[2] In 1969, Kalam received the government's approval and expanded the program to include more engineers.[11]Kalam addresses engineering students at IIT GuwahatiIn 1963–64, he visited Nasa's Langley Research Center in Poquoson, Virginia, Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland and Wallops Flight Facility situated at Eastern Shore of Virginia.[12][6] From the 1970s and 1990s, Kalam made an effort to develop the Polar SLV and SLV-III project which proved to be a success. In 1974, Kalam was shifted to the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), a subsidiary of DRDO.Kalam was invited by Raja Ramanna to witness the country's first nuclear test, Smiling Buddha as the representative of TBRL, even though he had not participated in developing or even taken part in the test site preparations or weapon designing. In the 1970s, a landmark was passed when ISRO first launched into space the locally built Rohini-1, using the SLV rocket.[13] In the 1970s, Kalam also directed Project Devil and Project Valiant – which sought to develop ballistic missiles from the technology of Kalam's successful SLV programme.[13] Despite the disapproval of Union Cabinet, Premier Indira Gandhi allotted secret funds for these aerospace projects through her discretionary powers under Kalam's directorship.[13] Kalam played an integral role convincing the Union Cabinet to conceal the true nature of these classified aerospace projects.[13] His research and educational leadership brought him great laurels and prestige in 1980s, which prompted the government to initiate an advanced missile program under his directorship.[13] As Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (I.G.M.D.P), he played a major part in developing many missiles in India including Agni and Prithvi, although the projects have been criticised for mismanagement and cost and time overruns.[14] He was the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of Defence Research and Development Organisation from July 1992 to December 1999. The Pokhran-II nuclear tests were conducted during this period where he played an intensive political and technological role. Kalam served as the Chief Project Coordinator, along with R. Chidambaram during the testing phase.[6][15] Photos and snapshots of him taken by the media elevated Kalam as the country's top nuclear scientist although Kalam was not directly involved with the nuclear program at the time.[citation needed]In the year 1998, with cardiologist Dr.SomaRaju, Kalam developed a low cost Coronary stent. It was named as "Kalam-Raju Stent" honouring them.[16][17] In 2012, the duo, designed a rugged tablet PC for health care in rural areas. It is named as "Kalam-Raju Tablet".[18]

Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India, succeeding K. R. Narayanan. He won the 2002 presidential election with an electoral vote of 922,884, surpassing 107,366 votes won by Lakshmi Sahgal. He served from 25 July 2002 to 24 July 2007.On 10 June 2002, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which was in power at the time expressed to the leader of opposition, Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi that they would propose Kalam for the post of President.[20] The Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party backed his candidacy.[21][22] After the Samajwadi Party announced its support for him, President K. R. Narayanan chose not to seek a second term in office and hence left the field clear for Kalam to become the 11th President of India.[23]I am really overwhelmed. Everywhere both in Internet and in other media, I have been asked for a message. I was thinking what message I can give to the people of the country at this juncture.—Kalam responding to the announcement of his candidature by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee[24]On 18 June, Kalam filed his nomination papers in Parliament of India, accompanied by Vajpayee and his senior Cabinet colleagues.[25]Kalam along with Vladimir Putin and Manmohan Singh during his presidencyThe polling for the presidential election began on 15 July 2002 in the Parliament and state assemblies with media claiming that the election was a one-sided affair and Kalam's victory a foregone conclusion. The counting was held on 18 July.[26] Kalam won the presidential election in a highly one-sided contest. He became the 11th president of the Republic of India.[27] He moved into the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he was sworn in on 25 July.[28] Kalam was the third President of India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, before becoming the President. Dr. Sarvapali Radhakrishnan (1954) and Dr. Zakir Hussain (1963) were the earlier recipients of Bharat Ratna who later became the President of India.[29] He was also the first scientist and first bachelor to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan.[30]At the end of his term, on 20 June 2007, Kalam expressed his willingness to consider a second term in office provided there was certainty about his victory in the 2007 presidential election.[31] However, two days later, he decided not to contest the Presidential election again stating that he didn't want Rashtrapati Bhavan to become involved in any political process.[32] He did not have the support of the Left parties, Shiv Sena and UPA constituents to receive a renewed mandate.[33][34] During his term as President, he was affectionately known as the People's President.[35][36][37] In his words, signing the Office of Profit Bill was the toughest decision he had taken during his tenure.[38]

Career as scientist Presidency

“Let us wait for some time...After some time, you ask me.”

Kalam to media when asked if he is ready to be elected to a second term as President.[39]

Nearing the term expiry of the 12th President Pratibha Patil, who's tenure ends on 24 July 2012, media reports in April claimed that Kalam was likely to be nominated for his second term.[40][41][42] After the reports, social networking sites were in buzz with users extended their support with activity to mobilise support for him.[43][44] BJP potentially backed his nomination, saying that the party will lend their support if Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and Indian National Congress proposes his name for the 2012 presidential election.[45][46] Just a month ahead of the election, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee also expressed their support to Kalam, and revealed that the both will suggest his name.[47] Days after expressing support, Mulayam Singh Yadav backed out, leaving Mamata Banerjee as a solitary supporter.[48] On 18 June 2012, Kalam refused to contest 2012 presidential poll after very much speculations.[49]Many, many citizens have also expressed the same wish. It only reflects their love and affection for me and the aspiration of the people. I am really overwhelmed by this support. This being their wish, I respect it. I want to thank them for the trust they have in me."—Kalam's message to public upon denying to contest Presidential poll 2012.[49]

Criticisms and controversies

See also: Pokhran-IIThe controversy that surrounds Kalam's role as a nuclear scientist, is the lack of reliable and factual reporting of the yield of Pokhran-II tests. The director of the site test, K. Santhanam, publicly admitted that the thermonuclear bomb was a "fizzle" test, criticising Kalam for issuing the wrong report. However, Kalam dismissed the claims, and R. Chidambaram, a key associated with Pokhran-II, had also described these claims as incorrect.[50] In spite of his leading role in the development of Indian nuclear programme, Kalam has received criticism from many of his peers who claimed that Kalam had "no authority" over nuclear science.[51] Homi Sethna, a chemical engineer criticised Kalam claiming that Kalam had no background in publishing articles in nuclear science, even in nuclear physics. Sethna maintained that Kalam received his doctorate in aerospace engineering which is a completely different discipline from nuclear engineering, and what various universities awarded him for his achievements had nothing to do with nuclear physics. Sethna, in his last interview, maintained that in the 1950s, Kalam had failed advanced physics courses during his college life, and quoted "What does he know (about [nuclear] physics)....?", on national television. Homi Sethna also accused Kalam of using his presidency to gain a national stature of nuclear scientist.[52] Others felt that Kalam had never worked in any of the Indian nuclear power plants and had no role in developing the nuclear weapon which was completed under Raja Ramanna.[53] Kalam worked as an aerospace engineer in a SLV project in the 1970s and from the 1980s onwards as a project director before he was shifted to Defence Research and Development Organisation, Sethna concluded. The prestigious Indian Institute of Science Bangalore rejected Kalam's application as they felt that he lacked scientific credentials.[52]In 2008, Indian media questioned his claims about his personal contributions to missile inventions while working in a classified missile programme.[52] Kalam had taken credit of inventing the Agni, Prithvi, and Aakash missile system.[52] All of these were developed, researched and designed by other scientists whereas Kalam was involved in getting the funds and other logistic tasks.[52] As a director of DRDO, a lot of credit had gone to Kalam. R. N. Agarwal, former director, Advanced System Laboratory and former Program Director of Agni missile was considered to be the real architect behind the successful design of Agni Missile.[52] In his own biography, Kalam credited the development of "Agni" to Dr Ram Narayan Agarwal, an alumnus of MIT. For the Prithvi missile project, he named Col VJ Sundaram as the brain behind this project and for the Trishul missile, he gave credit to Cmdr SR Mohan.[54] In 2006, senior media correspondent Praful Bidwai, in the The Daily Star, wrote that two aerospace projects, Project Valiant and Project Devil, which were authorised by former Premier Indira Gandhi under the directorship of Abdul Kalam, resulted in "total failure". In the 1980s, these projects were ultimately cancelled by the government under pressure by the Indian Army.[55]Kalam was also criticised by civil groups over his stand on the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant, where he supported setting up of the nuclear power plant and never spoke with the local people.[56]Frisking by American security authoritiesAbdul Kalam was frisked at JFK Airport in New York, while boarding a plane on 29 September 2011 as a part of "private screening" as he does not come under the category of dignitaries exempt from security screening procedures under stringent American guidelines. However, he was frisked again after boarding the Air Indiaaircraft with US security officials came and asked for his jacket and shoes, claiming that these items were not checked according to prescribed procedure during the "private screening".[57] The incident was not reported until 13 November that year.[58] India threatened retaliatory action as there was a "general sense of outrage" around the country.[59] The Indian Ministry of External Affairs protested over this incident, and a statement by the ministry said that the US Government had written a letter to Kalam, expressing its deep regret for the inconvenience.[57]Kalam was previously frisked by the ground staff of the Continental Airlines at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi in July 2009 and was treated like an ordinary passenger, despite the fact that he is on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security's list of people exempted from security screening in India.[60]Rumor about Kalam deathIn 2011, Kalam was a victim of a false rumour that he had died. The rumour spread across many social networking sites with Kalam trending on Twitter and was also the top most searched keyword on Google India.[61] However, it was Kalam's educational advisor,[62] Hafiz Saleh Muhammad Alladin, who had lost his life.[61]

Future India: 2020

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam delivering speechIn his book India 2020, Kalam strongly advocates an action plan to develop India into a knowledge superpower and a developed nation by the year 2020. He regards his work on India's nuclear weapons program as a way to assert India's place as a future superpower.It has been reported that there is a considerable demand in South Korea for translated versions of books authored by him.[63]Kalam continues to take an active interest in other developments in the field of science and technology. He has proposed a research program for developing bio-implants. He is a supporter of Open Source over proprietary solutions and believes that the use of free software on a large scale will bring the benefits of information technology to more people.[64]

Popular culture

In May 2011, Kalam launched his mission for the youth of the nation called the What Can I Give Movement with a central theme to defeat corruption.[65][66] He also has interests in writing Tamil poetry and in playing the veenai.[67]He was nominated for the MTV Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003[68][69] and in 2006.[70] In the 2011 Hindi film I Am Kalam, Kalam is portrayed as an extremely positive influence to a poor but bright Rajasthani boy named Chhotu, who renames himself Kalam in honour of his idol.[

Awards and honours

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam's 79th birthday was recognised as World Students' Day by United Nations.[72] He also has received honorary doctorates from 40 universities.[73][74] The Government of India has honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1981 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 for his work with ISRO and DRDO and his role as a scientific advisor to the Government.[75] In 1997, Kalam received India's highest civilian honour, the prestigious Bharat Ratna for his immense and valuable contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology. He was the second scientist after the late Homi Bhabha to receive this award.[76]