Why was APJ Abdul Kalam known as the Missile Man ?

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APJ Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, into a poor family. His father had only one boat to support his family.

Kalam was a hardworking boy right from the beginning. At the tender age of five, he started selling newspapers to help his father support the family. He did this job in the evenings after school. He also spent a great deal of time on his studies.

Born on October 15, 1931 and raised in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalam studied aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology after which he joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Kalam was fascinated by physics and mathematics.

Kalam completed his graduation from Saint Joseph’s College, Trichurapally in 1954. In 1955, he enrolled at the Madras Institute of Technology.

His outstanding work earned him the title of the "Missle Man of India".

Kalam missed an opportunity to become a fighter pilot for the Indian Air force. He was on the ninth spot on the list, and there were only eight openings. The first eight shortlisted candidates were recruited.

Kalam missed an opportunity to become a fighter pilot for the Indian Air force. He was on the ninth spot on the list, and there were only eight openings. The first eight shortlisted candidates were recruited.

During his school years, he was deeply interested in mathematics.

Kalam missed an opportunity to become a fighter pilot for the Indian Air force. He was on the ninth spot on the list, and there were only eight openings. The first eight shortlisted candidates were recruited.

He graduated in Physics from Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, after which he studied aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology where he was threatened that his scholarship would be cancelled.

In 1960, Kalam became involved with DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment.

Dr. Kalam had dreamt of becoming a fighter pilot but he ranked 9th in the qualifiers whereas only 8 positions were available in the IAF.

In 1969, Kalam was made the project director for Satellite Launch Vehicles and was shifted to ISRO. The project became successful, and India, under the directorship of Kalam, was able to launch the Rohini satellite series into Earth’s orbit.

Kalam was known as the ‘Missile Man’ of India due to his continued, successful work with ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology.

His time at DRDO was utilised in focusing on research in defense and space arena as a scientist. In the beginning, he designed a small hovercraft and started working on an expandable rocket project independently.

Kalam also made significant contributions to the nuclear capabilities of India. The Pokhran -2 nuclear tests (in 1998) were successful thanks to his organizational and technical support.

In 1969 he was shifted to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) where he was the project head of India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III). It was during this time he got the government's approval to expand the program.

Kalam was honored with many awards, including the highest civilian award in the country, the Bharat Ratna (1997). His other awards include Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990).

Interestingly, he was also honored with doctorates from 40 universities.

Within 20 years, Dr. Kalam was successful to develop the Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects.

Inspired by his life, a Bollywood movie was also produced with the title, I Am Kalam.

In the 1970s he also directed two projects which developed the ballistic missiles from the technology of the SLV programme, for this he was given secret funds from then PM Indira Gandhi through her discretionary powers as the Union Cabinet was against these projects.

Kalam was appointed as the Chief Executive by then Defence Minister R. Venkataraman of a project which worked on development of a quiver of missiles.