Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam BR (1931 – 2015) was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the 11th president of India from 2002 to 2007. Born in the quaint island town of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Kalam's journey from humble beginnings to the highest office in the land is a testament to the power of dreams and perseverance.
As a young boy, Kalam was fascinated by flight, spending hours observing the birds soaring above the Rameswaram coastline. A memorable school trip to the beach, where his teacher used bird flight to illustrate aerodynamic principles, ignited a spark in Kalam's mind that would shape his future and eventually propel him to the forefront of India's space programme.
Picture young Abdul Kalam, a bright-eyed boy with a mop of unruly hair, racing through the narrow streets, a bundle of newspapers tucked under his arm. He wasn't just delivering news; he was planting seeds of knowledge, one household at a time. Even then, his thirst for learning was unquenchable, devouring books from the local library, his imagination soaring with tales of heroes and adventures.
School life wasn't always about equations and scientific theories, though. Kalam and his best friend, Ramanadha, the son of the local temple priest, were inseparable. They shared stories, built leaf boats, and dreamt of grand adventures. Their friendship, however, faced a hurdle when a new teacher, perhaps blinded by societal norms, objected to a Hindu and a Muslim boy sharing a bench. Thankfully, Ramanadha's father, a man of wisdom and compassion, intervened, ensuring that their bond remained stronger than any arbitrary rule.
Years flew by, and Kalam's passion for flight led him to the hallowed halls of MIT (Madras Institute of Technology). Here, he encountered Professor Srinivasan, a taskmaster who could make a rocket launch seem like a walk in the park. This professor, with his stern demeanour and demanding deadlines, pushed Kalam and his classmates to their limits. One weekend, facing a seemingly impossible project deadline and the threat of losing his scholarship, Kalam pulled an all-nighter, fuelled by coffee and a fierce determination. By Monday morning, the project was complete, much to Professor Srinivasan's surprise. This incident, and many others like it, instilled in Abdul the unwavering belief in the power of hard work and perseverance.
Kalam's career at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) began with a rather unusual assignment – designing a small hovercraft. This quirky vehicle, christened "Nandi," became a source of amusement and excitement. When the then Defence Minister Krishna Menon came for a visit, some officials, worried about protocol and safety, tried to dissuade him from taking a ride in the untested contraption. But the Minister, perhaps sensing Abdul's passion and competence, brushed aside their concerns and hopped aboard, declaring his trust in the young engineer.
Kalam's journey took a giant leap when he joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), working under the visionary leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Sarabhai instilled in his team a belief in India's potential to become a spacefaring nation, a dream that seemed audacious at the time. Kalam's team was tasked with developing India's first indigenous satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-3. The pressure was immense, the challenges daunting, but they persevered, working tirelessly, pushing the boundaries of science and technology.
The first launch, however, ended in disappointment, the rocket plunging into the Bay of Bengal. The media had a field day, criticism poured in, but amidst this setback, Professor Satish Dhawan, who had succeeded Dr. Sarabhai, stood as a pillar of support. He shielded the team from the naysayers, focusing on learning from the failure and moving forward. He understood that in the realm of science, setbacks were inevitable, but it was the ability to rise above them that truly mattered.
The SLV-3's second launch was a resounding success, marking India's entry into the exclusive club of spacefaring nations. This triumph, achieved against all odds, showcased not just Abdul's technical brilliance but also his leadership skills, his ability to inspire and motivate his team, to transform failure into victory.
The development of the Agni missile, a crucial component of India's defence capabilities, was another chapter filled with challenges and triumphs. The project was shrouded in secrecy with Kalam working under the alias "Colonel Prithviraj". The first two launches faced technical glitches, creating nail-biting tension and national scrutiny. But Kalam, with his unwavering resolve and his ability to remain calm amidst storms, guided his team through these setbacks, ultimately achieving success with the Agni's third launch.
Kalam received the Bharat Ratna in 1997 in recognition of his pivotal role in modernizing India's defence technology, particularly his work on the development of ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology.
Kalam's journey culminated in his election as the 11th President of India in 2002. The "Missile Man" had become the "People's President," a testament to his humility, his dedication to public service, and his unwavering belief in the potential of India's youth.
Kalam was the third President of India to have been bestowed with the Bharat Ratna before assuming the presidency
Even after his presidency, Kalam continued to inspire, dedicating himself to teaching, writing, and advocating for a developed India. His vision for a technologically advanced nation, outlined in his book "India 2020," continues to guide policymakers and ignite the imaginations of young minds.