Our President, Dr. Abdul Kalam, is also a world renowned scientist. He is immensely modest, soft-spoken, very well mannered, unassuming and is true example of ‘simple living and high thinking’. He is the a eleventh President of India and his rise to his present, coveted post proves the successful functioning of our great democracy. He assumed this august office on July 25, 2002.
Prior to his becoming the President, Dr Kalam had held different posts in DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organisation) and in ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). With ISRO, he was the Chief instructor of SLV3 project, which saw the successful launching of India’s various missiles.
They include Agni, Akash, Prithvi, Naag, Trishul etc. Owing to the success of this project, Dr. Kalam became famous as the ‘Missile Man, all over the country’. Our first nuclear test at Pokhran in Rajasthan was successfully carried out under his supervision.
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His great contribution was acknowledged, when the government awarded him the highest commendation of the country, ‘The Bharat Ratna’.
As he was born in a middle class family at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu on October 15, 1931, Dr. Kalam’s miraculous success is a rag to riches story, indeed! Ever since his school days, he had been extremely hardworking, careful, regular and devoted to his goal.
Rather than accepting financial help from anyone for his studies, he met his expenses by selling newspapers. By doing this, he supported not only himself but his family as well.
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Dr. Kalam is a man of vision and has lofty dreams for Mother India. Soon after taking oath of office as President, he addressed his countrymen, announcing his resolve to make India a developed country as soon as possible. His other priority is the national security.
Our President is secular to the core and hence his great Popularity with all sections of society. He even reads the Quoran as well as the Gita everyday and greets his visitors with Ram Ram’ and ‘Salam’. Apart from reading, he has great interest in Indian classical music and is also a good writer. His two books ‘India 2020’ and ‘Wings of Fire’ depict his personality as a thinker as well as a great visionary.