A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007

The 11th President of India

As an aeronautical engineer, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam helped propel India into the ranks of the spacefaring nations through his contributions to the development of India’s first satellite launch vehicle and the country’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. From 1992 to 1999, he served as scientific adviser to the minister of defense in the Department of Defence Research and Development, leading India’s development of weaponized strategic missile systems and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, which made India a nuclear weapon state.

As chairman of the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council, he led India’s Technology Vision 2020 initiative, which provided a road map for transforming India from developing status into a developed nation by 2020. Kalam served as cabinet minister and principal scientific advisor to the government of India from 1999 to 2001 and also was the chairman of the scientific advisory committee, which piloted India Millennium Mission 2020.

Following a short stint as professor of technology and societal transformation at Anna University, Chennai, Kalam became the 11th President of India in 2002, serving until July of this year. He was popularly known as the People’s President for his focus on transforming India into a developed nation.

One of India’s most distinguished scientists, Kalam has been awarded not only the coveted civilian awards Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990), but the highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna (1997). A fellow of many professional institutions, he is the author of four books — “Wings of Fire,” “India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium,” “My Journey” and “Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India” — all of which are well regarded throughout India.