Birth Anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

• 16 Oct 2025

Why in News? 

On 15^th October 2025, President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

Key Points 

• About: Born on 15th October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam specialised in Aeronautical Engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology.  
• Space Research: He served as the Project Director for India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), which successfully placed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980, making India a member of the exclusive Space Club.  
  • He played a key role in the evolution of the ISRO launch vehicle program, particularly the PSLV configuration, which became a cornerstone of India's space exploration capabilities. 
• Defence Development: As the Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), he was instrumental in the development and operationalisation of key missile systems such as AGNI and PRITHVI.  
  • As Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Secretary of the Department of Defence Research & Development from July 1992 to December 1999, Dr Kalam led India's missile systems weaponisation and oversaw the successful Pokhran-II nuclear tests, making India a nuclear weapons state.  
  • His contributions also extended to self-reliance in defence systems, including the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). 
• Vision for Developed India: His leadership extended to the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), where, as Chairman, he spearheaded the Technology Vision 2020 project.  
• Books: His works, including "Wings of Fire", "India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium", "My Journey", and "Ignited Minds - Unleashing the Power Within India", have been translated into multiple languages and remain popular worldwide. 
• Recognition and Honours: He received 30 honorary doctorates and was awarded India's highest civilian honours: Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), and the Bharat Ratna (1997).  
• President of India: On 25th July 2002, Dr Kalam became the 11th President of India, where he continued to champion the vision of a developed nation.  
  • His presidency focused on achieving the goal of transforming India into a global leader by 2020, leaving behind a legacy of scientific excellence, national pride, and youth empowerment.