Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Why is in news? PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. His birthday is celebrated as National Innovation Day.

He is one of the most respected scientists in India with the unique honour of receiving accredited doctoral degrees from 48 Universities and institutions from India and abroad.

He was sworn in as India's 11th President in 2002 and completed his term in 2007.

He planned to produce a number of successful missiles, which helped him earn the nickname "Missile Man".

He was a pioneer in fiberglass technology and led a small team to launch this effort in ISRO from construction, in a development that led to the production of computerized rocket motor cases.

He was instrumental as Project Director to develop India's first native satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) which successfully injected the Rohini satellite into Near-Earth Orbit in July 1980 and made India a special member of the Space Club.

He was responsible for the emergence of the ISRO launch vehicle program, particularly the PSLV configuration.

After working for 20 years at ISRO and having the expertise to introduce automotive technology, he has taken on the responsibility of developing the Indigenous Guide.

He has been the Chief Executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).

It has led to the use of missile strategic weapons and the testing of Pokhran-II in collaboration with the Atomic Energy Department, making India a World Nuclear Weapon.

In 1998, he launched a national program called Technology Vision 2020, which he described as a road map to transform India from a less developed society to a more developed society in 20 years.

The plan required that, among other things, increase agricultural productivity, emphasize technology as a means to grow the economy, and increase access to health and education.

He was interested in bringing prosperity to rural areas through PURA (Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas), where science and technology should play a major role.

He has been awarded the most prestigious awards - Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the highest public award Bharat Ratna (1997).