Abdul Kalam was born in 1931 in Rameswaram, India. He had a humble upbringing and obtained degrees in physics and aerospace engineering. Kalam had a long career as a scientist with DRDO and ISRO, working on development of ballistic missiles and space technology. He served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. After his presidency, Kalam continued advocating for development of India and educating youth. He died suddenly in 2015 from cardiac arrest.

1. Biography of APJ
Abdul Kalam
Holidays Homework : English (Class VIII 2017-18)
Professor: Presented by:
Mrs. Bhawana Amit Khurana
Roll No.: 3

2. Introduction
 Full Name: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul
Kalam
 11th President of India. (2002-2007)
 Born on 15 October,1931.
 Birthplace: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

3. Early Life and Education
 Born to a Tamil Muslim family.
 His father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and imam of a
local mosque; his mother Ashiamma was a housewife.
 Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one sister in
his family.
 Graduated in Physics in 1954 from Saint Joseph's College,
Tiruchirappalli.
 He moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace
engineering in Madras Institute of Technology.

4. Career as scientist
 After graduating, Kalam joined the Aeronautical
Development Establishment of the DRDO.
 Started his career by designing a small hovercraft.
 Was also a part of the INCOSPAR committee working
under Vikram Sarabai.
 In 1969 he was transferred to the ISRO where he was the
project director of India’s first satellite Rohini.

5. Career as scientist
 In 1963 to 1964, he visited NASA’s Langley Research Center
in Hampton, Virginia, and various other flight facilities.
 Between the 1970s and 1990s, he made the Polar satellite
Launch vehicle and SLV-III, which were successful.
 Also directed two projects :Project Devil and Project Valiant.
 Kalam played a major part on developing Missiles: Agni and
Prithvi.

6. Presidency
 He was the 11thpresident of India.
 Won the 2002 presidential election with 992,884 votes.
 On 18 June, Kalam filled his nomination in the Indian
Parliament.
 Was third president of India to have been honoured with a
Bhart ratan.

7. Presidency
 Was affectionately known as the People’s
President.
 Also took the Controversial decision to impose
President’s rule in Bihar in 2005.
 Supported the need of Uniform Civil Code in
India.

8. Post- Presidency
 After leaving office, Kalam became a visiting professor at
the IIM (Indian Institute of Management) Shillong.
 He taught information technology at the International
Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad.
 He adjunct at many academic and research institutions
across India.

9. Post-Presidency
 In 2011, Kalam was criticised by civil groups over his stand
on the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant.
 He supported the establishment of the nuclear power plant.
 In May 2012, Kalam launched a programme for the youth of
India called the “What Can I Give” Movement

10. Death
 He died because of sudden cardiac arrest on 27th July,
2015.
 His last words (to his aide, Srijan Pl Singh) were: “Funny guy!
Are you doing well?”
 Dr Manmohan Singh said, “Our country has lost a great
human being who made phenomenal contributions.”
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "Dr. Kalam's death is a
great loss to the scientific community. He took India to great
heights. He showed the way."