15 Interesting Facts About APJ Abdul Kalam – The Missile Man Of India

'Indian Missile Man' Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a world-renowned scientist, researcher, academic, and politician. The development of India's military and defence missiles as well as its civilian space programme was pioneered by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the country's eleventh president. Despite originating from a disadvantaged household, he battled from a young age to finish his degree and support his combined family. Here are 15 fascinating facts about former President APJ Abdul Kalam:

1. His full name was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam

Although his name was well-known, he is now more commonly referred to as APJ, Abdul Kalam, Kalam, Dr. Kalam, or APJ Abdul Kalam.

2. Raised in Rameshwaram by a Tamil Muslim family

He was nurtured in the Tamil Nadu town of Rameswaram, where he was born. His father managed a boat service between Rameswaram and the now-abandoned Dhanushkodi, carrying Hindu pilgrims.

3. A Difficult Childhood

Jainulabudeen Kalam, the father of Kalam, was a local boat owner and imam. Although the former President's ancestors were affluent, their fortunes were lost as a result of business failures, forcing him to take on odd employment. Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and a sister in his family. Kalam used to deliver newspapers after school to help his father's income.

4. A vegetarian

Dr. Kalam switched to vegetarianism when he enrolled at Saint Joseph's College in Tiruchirappalli in the 1950s. He had a limited budget and couldn't afford to eat non-vegetarian food because he was receiving financial aid. "Due to financial restrictions, I was compelled to become a vegetarian, but I eventually grew to enjoy it." I am a strict vegetarian as of right now.

5. Academic Excellence

You might be surprised to learn that Abdul Kalam held 7 doctorates. APJ Abdul Kalam, a former president who was born on October 15, 1931, was awarded honorary doctorates by 40 domestic and foreign colleges throughout his lifetime.

6. Missile Man

You'll recognise Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam as the brains behind the plan to employ missiles as a deterrence if you've seen the movie Parmanu. He was responsible for developing and deploying the Agni and Prithvi missiles. He is referred to as India's Missile Man because of this. He was a big believer in the idea that strength commands respect, and he thought that India could only earn the respect of other countries if we were strong.

7. Honours that are bestowed only once in a person's lifetime

Without a doubt, there are legends. If you examined Kalam's life, you would likely concur. Dr. Kalam has received the civilian Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990) honours in addition to the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna (1997).

8. The children's president

According to reports, Indian kids favour the two leaders. Although President Kalam was well-known to young people, Prime Minister Nehru was better known as Chacha Nehru. Kalam suggested that in order to create a better India, the youth should be supported. He encouraged young people to study science since he was wholly committed to it. His generation's kids often remember his turning up at their science fairs or sports days just to motivate them. He was one of India's most approachable presidents since his email address was accessible to all kids in the country.

9. Famous Autobiography

The autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam, titled "Wings of Fire," was first released in English and has subsequently been translated into 13 other languages. Originally published in English, it was eventually translated into 13 other languages, including French and Chinese, as a result of its success and the public's need for details about his life. Six biographies have also been written on him.

10. Indian Nuclear Mission

The following intriguing information about APJ Abdul Kalam is a well-known one. Kalam significantly improved India's nuclear stockpile. The Pokhran -2 nuclear tests (in 1998) were successful due to his organisational and technical assistance.

11. Failures

Kalam lost out on the opportunity to become a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. There were only 8 seats available, and he was ranked ninth on the list. On the shortlist, the first eight applicants were hired.

12. The first scientist and bachelor to reside in Rashtrapati Bhawan

When he took office as the 11th President of the Republic of India on July 25, 2002, he made history by being the first scientist and the first bachelor to hold that position in Rashtrapati Bhawan.

13. Solibacillus kalamii - named after APJ Abdul Kalam, an aerobic bacteria discovered in the International Space Station's HEPA filter. In recognition of Dr. Kalam, who received his doctorate from NASA, scientists gave a novel bacteria the name Solibacillus kalamii.

14. APJ Kalam is honoured with a new plant species from West Bengal

In February 2018, researchers from the Botanical Survey of India gave his name to a newly discovered plant species from two protected National Parks in West Bengal.

15. Wheeler Island has been renamed Abdul Kalam Island

On the second anniversary of the former Indian president's passing, Wheeler Island, a national missile testing facility in Odisha, was renamed Abdul Kalam Island.

16. His own clothing and books were his only possessions when he passed away

2,500 books, a veena, a CD player, a laptop, a wrist watch, six shirts, four pairs of pants, three suits and a pair of shoes were the only possessions Kalam left behind when he passed away. He used to live off the royalties from his books and a government pension after his presidency ended.