The ‘Missile Man of India’ was born in Rameswaram, a small town in Tamil Nadu. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who was born on October 15, 1931, has a history of humble beginnings. His father owned a boat and imam at a local mosque, while his mother took care of his family. Young Kalam grew up with values of simplicity, discipline, and an unshakeable belief in hard work, even though life was not easy. During his school years, Kalam was fascinated by science and aviation. He believed in one simple truth: “Dreams are not what you see when you sleep, but the things that prevent you from sleeping.” Kalam’s history of collaborating with India’s space and defense programs is legendary. At ISRO, he was instrumental in the development of the country’s first satellite launch vehicle, SLV-III, which successfully put the Rohini satellite in orbit in 1980. He was the driving force behind India’s missile development programs and earned the title of ‘Missile Man of India’ later on. His leadership resulted in the creation of missiles like Agni and Prithvi, which gave the nation a new sense of pride and strength.
EARLY LIFE IN RAMESWARAM
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was born in 1931 in the small town of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Although born into a modest family, he sold newspapers to finance his education, but his determination and love for learning established the foundation for his extraordinary journey.
JOURNEY WITH ISRO
At the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), he played a leading role in developing India’s first satellite launch vehicle, SLV-III, which successfully launched the Rohini satellite in 1980, marking a historic moment for the nation.
INSPIRATION FOR MILLIONS
Kalam assumed the role of President of India in 2002. He was loved across the country because of his simplicity, accessibility, and deep care for citizens, especially students. Following his presidency, Kalam made it his mission to inspire young minds. He believed that India’s future was in the hands of its youth and encouraged them to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams.
Dr. Kalam’s life is a story of resilience, humility, and dreams that have turned into reality. His journey from Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan shows us that even the biggest dreams can be achieved with courage, dedication, and faith. Despite his absence, his words still resonate: ‘Dreaming is essential for realizing your dreams.’ The Missile Man of India lives on in those dreams, forever guiding generations to come.
