3. AVUL PAKIR JAINULABDEEN ABDUL KALAM BORN : 15 TH OCTOBER 1931 (AGE 83) RAMESWARAM, RAMNATHPURAM DISTRICT, MADRAS PRESIDENCY, BRITISH INDIA. (NOW IN TAMIL NADU) NATIONALITY : INDIAN ALMA MATER : ST. JOSEPHS COLLEGE, TIRUCHIRAPPALI MADRAS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION : PROFESSOR, AUTHOR, AERO SPACE SCIENTIST RELIGION : ISLAM

4. He came from a poor background and started He came from a poor background and started working at an early age working at an early age to supplement his to supplement his family’s income. family’s income. In his school years, he In his school years, he had average grades had average grades but was described as but was described as a bright and hardworking student, specially in a bright and hardworking student, specially in mathematics. mathematics. He was just a simple man with a loving heart. He was just a simple man with a loving heart.

5. Abdul Kalam was born and raised in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu and Abdul Kalam was born and raised in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu and studied physics and aerospace studied physics and aerospace engineering. engineering. He spent next four He spent next four decades as a scientist and decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at science administrator, mainly at DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (DRDO) and was intimately involved in India’s civilian space program and military MISSILE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS. DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (DRDO) and was intimately involved in India’s civilian space program and military MISSILE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS.

6. He came to be known as MISSILE MAN OF INDIA for He came to be known as MISSILE MAN OF INDIA for his work on the development of BALLISTIC MISSILE his work on the development of BALLISTIC MISSILE and LAUNCH VEHICLE technology. and LAUNCH VEHICLE technology. He also played a pivotal organisational, technical and He also played a pivotal organisational, technical and political role in India’s POKRAN-II, nuclear tests in political role in India’s POKRAN-II, nuclear tests in 1998,the first since the ORIGINAL TEST BY NUCLEAR 1998,the first since the ORIGINAL TEST BY NUCLEAR TEST by India in 1974. TEST by India in 1974.

7. A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s 79 th birthday A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s 79 th birthday was recognised as WORLD was recognised as WORLD STUDENTS’ DAY by United Nations. STUDENTS’ DAY by United Nations. He also received HONORARY He also received HONORARY DOCTORATES from 40 universities. DOCTORATES from 40 universities. The government of India has honoured him with The government of India has honoured him with the PADMA BHUSHAN in 1981 and the PADMA the PADMA BHUSHAN in 1981 and the PADMA VIBHUSHAN in 1990. VIBHUSHAN in 1990.

8. In 1997, Kalam received India’s In 1997, Kalam received India’s Highest civilian honor the BHARAT Highest civilian honor the BHARAT RATNA, for his immense and RATNA, for his immense and valuable contribution to the scientific valuable contribution to the scientific research and mordenisation of research and mordenisation of defence technology in India. defence technology in India. In 2005 Switzerland declared 26 th May as Science day to Kalam’s visit in the In 2005 Switzerland declared 26 th May as Science day to Kalam’s visit in the country. country.

9. Compiled by: Aneri Dalwadi Std: 9 B St. Kabir School (DIN)