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A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Historical Figure

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

1931–2015

President of India from 2002 to 2007

Modern

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Original Speech

"Message to Indian Youth" — 2009

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Biography

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the president of India from 2002 to 2007.

Source: Wikipedia · AI-summarized

Timeline

The story of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, told in moments.

1963 Life

Joins India's space program at ISRO. He helps design the country's first indigenous satellite launch vehicle, SLV-III, which successfully places the Rohini satellite in orbit in 1980.

1980 Event

Led the team that launched India's first indigenous satellite launch vehicle, SLV-III. It put the Rohini satellite into orbit. He was called the "Missile Man of India" for his work on ballistic missiles.

1998 Event

Leads the Pokhran-II nuclear tests as chief scientific adviser. Five devices detonated in the Rajasthan desert. India becomes a declared nuclear state. Pakistan tests its own weapons 17 days later.

1998 Event

Played a central role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests as chief scientific advisor. He'd also overseen the Agni and Prithvi missile programs.

2002 Event

Elected 11th President of India with support from both ruling and opposition parties. Known as the "People's President," he answers letters from schoolchildren personally and insists on meeting students at the presidential palace.

2002 Event

Elected the 11th President of India. He was a scientist with no political party. Known as the "People's President," he answered letters from schoolchildren by hand.

2015 Death

Collapses mid-sentence while delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong. He is 83. His last words to the students: "Funny thing, Life is..."

In Their Own Words (40)

"You have to dream before your dreams can come true."

NDTV (27 July 2015 obituary citing his memorable quotes), 2015

"You have to dream before your dreams can come true."

NDTV (27 July 2015 obituary citing his memorable quotes), 2015

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.

Karthick S (18 June 2012). "Abdul Kalam not to contest presidential poll 2012". The Times of India: Kalam's message to public upon denying to contest Presidential poll 2012., 2012

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.

Karthick S (18 June 2012). "Abdul Kalam not to contest presidential poll 2012". The Times of India: Kalam's message to public upon denying to contest Presidential poll 2012., 2012

If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.

Arvind Gupta, Mukul Chaturvedi, Akshay Joshi (2004) Security and Diplomacy: Essential Documents. p. 144., 2004

Artifacts (15)

Capita Selecta

Various or anonymous authors

Unknown date
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Wings of Fire: An Autobiography

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, The Son Of A Little-Educated Boat-Owner In Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Had An Unparalled Career As A Defence Scientist, Culminating In The Highest Civilian Award Of...

1999

Wings of Fire: An Autobiography

Autobiography of an Indian scientist.

1999

Wings of Fire: An Autobiography

Autobiography of an Indian scientist.

2002

Agnipaksha: ātmajībanī

Autobiography of an Indian scientist.

2003

Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India

When A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Wrote India 2020: A Vision For The New Millennium With Y.S. Rajan In 1998, Little Did They Expect The Magnitude Of The Response They Would Get. The Idea That India Could...

2003

The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse and Colours

The Luminous Sparks A Biography In Verse And Colours Written By Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, President Of India Is A Book Of Poems And Biographical Notes Accompanied With Matching And Thought Provoking...

2004

The Life Tree: Poems

In The Life Tree A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Takes Us On A Walk, Through Anecdote And Poetry, Over The Terrain Of His Life. Kalam S World Is One Of Simplicity And Beauty, In Which Nature Figures...

2005

Inspiring Thoughts

Inspiring Quotations by Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

2007

THE SCIENTIFIC INDIAN: A Twenty-First Century Guide to the World Around Us

Nuclear capability; self-sufficiency in food production; an array of indigenous satellites and missiles; an unmanned Moon mission—India’s achievements in the scientific domain in recent years have...

2010

Target 3 Billion: PURA: Innovative Solutions Towards Sustainable Development

With 750 million people living in villages, India has the largest rural population in the world. Based on his Indian experience, Dr Kalam recommends a sustainable and inclusive development system...

2011

You are Unique: Scale New Heights by Thoughts and Actions

The book shows that greatness exists in all of us. It's simply a matter of discovering and revealing it in our actions and thoughts. The book helps to build self-confidence and strength to achieve...

2012

Indomitable Spirit

Collections of President Abdul Kalam's speeches and addresses on diverse topics.

2012

India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium

In this ground-breaking vision document, first published in 1998, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan offer a blueprint for India to be counted among the world’s top five economic powers by the...

2014

Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India

What is it that we as a nation are missing? Why, given all our skills, resources and talents, do we settle so often for the ordinary instead of striving to be the best? At the heart of Ignited...

2014

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