APJ Abdul Kalam(Missile Man of India), the former president of India, in full Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, (born October 15, 1931, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India—died July 27, 2015, Shillong, India), Indian scientist and politician who played a leading role in the development of India’s missile and nuclear weapons programs. He was president of India from 2002 to 2007.
Personal Information
Full Name: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
Nick Name: APJ Abdul Kalam
Born: 15 October 1931 (Rameswaram, India)
Died: 27 July 2015 (Shilong, India)
Occupation: Aerospace Scientist & Politician
Nationality: Indian
Father: Jainulabdeen Marakayar(A Boat Owner & Imam of Mosque)
Mother: Ashiamma(Housewife)
Marital Status: Unmarried
Education
- Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram
- He graduated in Physics from Saint Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli
- Aerospace Engineering in Madras Institute of Technology
Favorites
Favorite Food: Cooked food at home by his mother.
Favorite Books:
- Thirukkural/Pearls Of Inspiration by Thiruvalluvar
- Light from Many Lamps: A Treasury of Inspiration by Lillian Eichler Watson
- Empires of the Mind: Lessons To Lead And Succeed In A Knowledge-Based World by Danis Waitley
Awards
- Padma Bhushan – Government of India- 1981
- Padma Vibhushan – Government of India- 1990
- Bharat Ratna – Government of India- 1997
- Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration – Government of India- 1997
- Veer Savarkar Award – Government of India- 1998
- SASTRA Ramanujan Prize – Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy, India- 2000
- Von Braun Award – National Space Society- 2013
APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes
“Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher that will be the biggest honor for me.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place – that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realize the great life.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Small aim is a crime; have great aim.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“If four things are followed – having a great aim, acquiring knowledge, hard work, and perseverance – then anything can be achieved.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“If we are not free, no one will respect us.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“The wealth of information now available at the click of a finger amazes me.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“You see, God helps only people who work hard. That principle is very clear.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“All Birds find shelter during rain. But Eagle avoids rain by flying above clouds.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Your best teacher is your last mistake.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Thinking is the capital, Enterprise is the way, Hard Work is the solution”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Man needs difficulties in life because they are necessary to enjoy the success.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“If you fail, never give up because FAIL means “First Attempt In Learning”.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
“Creativity is seeing the same thing but thinking differently”
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
APJ Abdul Kalam Books
- Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam Originally Published in 1999 Written by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Arun Tiwari. Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam
- Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India Written by APJ Abdul Kalam
Facts
He was known as the Missile Man of India.
He had three close friends in his childhood (Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and Sivapraksan). They all were Hindu Brahmins.
The highest priest of Rameswaram temple Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry was a very close friend of Kalam’s father.
He would like to have south Indian food, especially ”Idlis”.