Why was APJ Abdul Kalam known as the Missile Man ?

Kalam is a source of inspiration for millions of people in India and around the world.

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, an Indian physicist and the father of India’s space program was his mentor and guide.

Born on 15 October, 1931, in a Tamil Muslim family to a boat owner, Jainulabudeen, and Ashiamma, a housewife, in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, Kalam's childhood was not easy and privileged.

When he was the president of India, he used to donate all his savings for the social cause to ‘PURA’ (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas)- a strategy for rural development in India.

Kalam became the President of the largest democracy of the world –India – on July 25, 2002. He was known as “the People’s President” because of his simple and down-to-earth attitude.

Apart from him, he was also inspired by Professor Satish Dhawan and Dr. Brahm Prakash.

In order to support his poor family, young Kalam used to distribute newspapers after his school hours to add to his father's income.

There were two incidents when he declined to sit on a special chair as he didn’t want to make himself superior to others.

Prez Kalam also had a soft spot for students and children. He inspired millions of young children, answering their questions and meeting with them during his tours across the country until the day of his sad demise. He believed that the children are the future of any nation.

Kalam was a hardworking student too, who enjoyed spending hours on his studies.

He has written many inspirational books, such as- Wings of Fire, India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium.

The United States made an apology to him for not following the appropriate procedures for expedited screening of dignitaries when he was frisked at the JFK airport on 29 September 2011.

Prez Kalam also had a soft spot for students and children. He inspired millions of young children, answering their questions and meeting with them during his tours across the country until the day of his sad demise. He believed that the children are the future of any nation.

His favourite subjects were Mathematics and Physics and ultimately, he took up aerospace engineering later in life.

The Luminous Sparks, Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life, Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India, Inspiring Thoughts, A Manifesto for Change, etc.

Look at his positivity! In 2001, when he had boarded the helicopter from Ranchi, on the way to Bokaro, he was informed about some issues with the helicopter’s rotor. Though it was a death alarm for the cockpit crew, he composed everyone with his signature smile and advised the two pilots not to worry.

Kalam was frisked twice at JFK Airport in New York. He was checked for explosives by the airport staff. This incident was protested by India on the international level.

When he was the president of India, he used to donate all his savings for the social cause to ‘PURA’ (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas)- a strategy for rural development in India.

His interest and work in aerospace engineering brought him close to India's civilian space program and military missile development efforts.

Throughout his life, he supported the abolition of the death penalty saying that as President of India he felt pain in deciding mercy petitions of death row convicts.

He was once asked by a journalist how would he like to be remembered: as a scientist, a president or a teacher. And he replied smilingly – “I want to be remembered as a teacher first and then as any other person.”

There were two incidents when he declined to sit on a special chair as he didn’t want to make himself superior to others.

For his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology, Kalam came to be known as Missile Man of India.

Following his death, the Tamil Nadu state government announced that his birthday, 15 October, would be observed across the State as “Youth Renaissance Day” and also the state government further instituted “Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award.”

The United States made an apology to him for not following the appropriate procedures for expedited screening of dignitaries when he was frisked at the JFK airport on 29 September 2011.