Former President of India Dr APJ
Abdul Kalam is no more. As per reports he passed away Monday at 7.45 p.m. at the
Bethany Hospital in Shillong at the age of 83. The legendary scientist died
after collapsing during a lecture at the IIM-Shillong. He was delivering a lecture on 'liveable planet' when he suddenly
collapsed.
Born October 15, 1931 Avul Pakir
Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam raised in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. He joined the Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after studying physics and aerospace
engineering. He graduated from Madras Institute of Technology. Later he
involved himself in the India's missile programme. His contribution to the
ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology earned him the epithet
"Missile Man of India". Dr Kalam played a key role in India's nuclear test
in 1998 during the Prime Ministerial stint of Atal Bihar Vajpayee.
One of India's most accomplished
scientists, Dr Kalam was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in
1990 and Bharat Ratna in 1997.
Dr Kalam became India's 11th President
and resumed office from 2002 to 2007. He earned the reputation
of being the "people's President" who endeared himself to all all
sections of the society, especially the youngsters and students. He succeeded K R Narayanan
and served a full five-year term after winning the Presidential elections which
was a highly one-sided contest with Lakshmi Sahgal as his rival. Dr Kalam was the first scientist and first
ever bachelor to occupy the Rastrapati Bhawan.
