Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam : Missile Man of India

8/19/2019 Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam : Missile Man of India

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MISSILE MANOFINDIA

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam


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Dr. Kalam was born in 1931 to a Muslim family,residing in Tamil Nadu.

His father was a boat owner and his mother wasa housewife.

Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and

one sister in his family.

Kalam's family was very poor; at an early age,he sold newspapers to supplement his family's

income.


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In his school years, Kalam had average grades but was describedas a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to

learn . He spent hours on his studies.

After completing his school, Kalam graduated in physics in 1954,from the University of Madras and moved to Madras in 1955 to

study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology.

While Kalam was working on a senior class project, the Dean wasdissatisfied with his lack of progress and threatened to revoke hisscholarship unless the project was finished within the next three

days. Kalam met the deadline , impressing the Dean, who later saidthat, "I was putting you under stress and asking you to meet a

difficult deadline".

He narrowly missed achieving his dream of becoming a fighterpilot, as he placed ninth in qualifiers, and only eight positions were

available in the IAF


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After graduating, Kalam joined the Aeronautical DevelopmentEstablishment of the Defence Research and Development

Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist.

He started his career by designing a small hovercraft , butremained unconvinced by his choice of a job at DRDO.

In 1969, Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space ResearchOrganisation (ISRO) where he was the project director of India's

first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) ; Kalam had first started workon an expandable rocket project independently at DRDO in 1965.

In 1969, Kalam received the government's approval and expandedthe programme to include more engineers.


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Between the 1970s and 1990s, Kalam made an effort to develop

the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects,both of which proved to be successful.


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Kalam was invited to witness the country's first nuclear test ,even though he had not participated in its development. In the

1970s, Kalam also directed two projects, which sought to developballistic missiles from the technology of the successful SLV

programme.

Despite the disapproval of the Union Cabinet, Prime Minister

Indira Gandhi allotted secret funds for these aerospace projectsthrough her discretionary powers under Kalam's directorship.

Kalam played an integral role convincing the Union Cabinet toconceal the true nature of these classified aerospace projects. His

research and educational leadership brought him great laurelsand prestige in the 1980s, which prompted the government to

initiate an advanced missile programme under his directorship.


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Kalam worked on the suggestion by the then Defence Minister, R.Venkataraman on a proposal for simultaneous development of a

quiver of missiles instead of taking planned missiles one afteranother.

R Venkatraman was instrumental in getting the cabinet approvalfor allocating 388 crores for the mission, named Integrated

Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) and appointedKalam as the chief executive . Kalam played a major part in

developing many missiles under the mission.


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Kalam served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Ministerand the Secretary of the DRDO from July 1992 to December 1999.The Pokhran-II nuclear tests were conducted during this period in

which he played an intensive political and technological role.

Kalam served as the Chief Project Coordinator during the testingphase. Media coverage of Kalam during this period made him the

country's best known nuclear scientist.

In 1998, along with cardiologist Soma Raju, Kalam developed a low cost coronary stent , named the "Kalam-Raju Stent".

In 2012, the duo designed a rugged tablet computer for health carein rural areas , which was named the "Kalam-Raju Tablet".


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Kalam served as the 11th President of India , winning the 2002presidential elections. the election was a one-sided affair and

Kalam's victory was a foregone conclusion , as he was backed by

the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Samajwadi Party and theNationalist Congress Party. After the Samajwadi Party announced its

support for Kalam, Narayanan chose not to seek a second term inoffice , leaving the field clear.


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Dr Kalam used to receive costly gifts whenever he went as it iscustomary for many nations to give gifts to the visiting Head of state.

Refusing the gift would become an insult to the nation and anembarrassment for India. So, he received them and on his return, DrKalam asked the gifts to be photographed and then catalogued and

handed over to the archives . Afterwards, he never even looked atthem. He did not take even a pencil from the gifts received when he

left Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

~~~Remains~~~


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In 2002, the year Dr Kalam took over, the Ramadan month came inJuly-August. it was a regular practice for the President to host an iftar

party. Dr Kalam asked Mr Nair why he should host a party to people

who are already well fed and asked him to find out how much wouldbe the cost. Mr Nair told it costs around Rs. 22 lakhs. Dr Kalam askedhim to donate that amount to a few selected orphanages in the formof food, dresses and blankets. The selection of orphanages was left

to a team in Rashtrapathi Bhavan and Dr Kalam had no role in it. After

the selection was made, Dr Kalam asked Mr Nair to come inside hisroom and gave him a cheque for Rs 1 lakh. He said that he is giving

some amount from his personal savings and this should not beinformed to anyone. Mr Nair was so shocked that he said "sir, I will

go outside and tell everyone . People should know that here is a man who not only donated what he should have spent but he is giving his

own money also". Dr Kalam though he was a devout Muslim did nothave Iftar parties in the years in which he was the President.


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Dr Kalam did not like "yes sir" type of people. Once when the ChiefJustice of India had come and on some point Dr Kalam expressed his

view and asked Mr Nair, "Do you agree?"/ Mr Nair said "No sir, i do

not agree with you". The Chief Justice was shocked and could notbelieve his ears. It was impossible for a civil servant to disagree withthe president and that too so openly. Mr Nair told him that the

President would question him afterwards why he disagreed and if thereason was logical 99% he would change his mind.


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Dr Kalam invited 50 of his relatives to come to Delhi and they allstayed in Rashtrapathi Bhavan. He organised a bus for them to go

around the city which was paid for by him. No official car was used.

All their stay and food was calculated as per the instructions of DrKalam and the bill came to Rs 2 lakhs which he paid. In the history ofthis country no one has done it. Now, wait for the climax, Dr Kalam'selder brother stayed with him in his room for the entire one week as

Dr Kalam wanted his brother to stay with him. When they left, Dr

Kalam wanted to pay rent for that room also. Imagine a President ofcountry paying rent for the room in which he is staying. This was any way not agreed by the staff who thought the honesty was getting too

much to handle !!!.


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When Kalam sir was to leave Rashtrapathi Bhavan at the end of thetenure, every staff member went and met him and paid their respects.

Mr Nair went to him alone as his wife had fractured her leg and was

bed ridden. Dr Kalam asked why his wife did not come. He repliedthat she was in bed due to an accident. next day, Nair saw lot ofpolice men around his house and asked what had happened. They

said that the President of India was coming to visit him in his house.He came and met his wife and chatted for some time. Mr Nair says

that no president of any country would visit a civil servant's houseand that too on such a simple pretext.


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What can we learn about leadership fromA.P.J. Abdul Kalam ?

1. Everything is Possible

Dr.Abdul Kalam, Former President of India … a son of a small boat owner,from far end of the Country reaching … what was possibly, the suprememost position, a Citizen of India can ever reach … that too, only one outof a billion people, can ever reach once in 5 years … through sheer hard work, dedication and, sincerity, backed by destiny. I could only think

about Abraham Lincoln in the Modern World History. Probably, if historyhas to compare both of them, fair and just, on the humanity scale, I am

not sure but I believe, with all humbleness, probably Dr.Kalam may evenrise taller as a human being, in stature in the Modern World History. Ihave my own reason to attribute to his tallest stature.


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2. Leaders Ignite the minds of Others

Dr Kalam was a destiny’s child. A man with nothing except curiosity andpassion for flying, with wings of fire, flew as high as he could in the sky.

And, like a special satellite that orbits the Universe, he went about hismission, igniting millions of young minds and many nations.


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3. Leaders care, share and maintain transparency

Dr.Kalam boasted nothing but learnt as much as he can till his lastbreath. He kept nothing to himself but shared with transparency and

sincerity to each and every one, everything he learnt, who crossed hislife till his last breath at IIM,Shillong.


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4. Leaders humble themself

Such was his leadership style that Dr.Abdul Kalam's accession to powerand position was just occasions to further humble himself as much

possible as he can, so that the people who met him can feel strongerand taller in their heart and life.


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5. Leaders Inspire others and make them dream rather than making thembelieve in their own dreams

Dr.Kalam inspired millions of young hearts to dream; And,made them tobelieve in their dreams. He wanted people to dream, to transform their

dreams into thoughts that can result into actions. Dr.Kalam envisioned a developed India that is very much a reality through strong vision.


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6. Leaders are truly Visionary

Dr.Kalam strongly believed that future India’s success rest overPURA(Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas). And, that is the way

forward, to create a developed India. He is truly a visionary.


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7. Leaders look for solutions to problems with Innovative mindset

What can a missile scientist do with his learnings to alleviate India’sproblems? He cross-pollinated the idea of using the high-grade steel

used in missiles that can kill people and designed and developed, whatis famously known as Kalam-Raju Stent-that now saves people...at

fraction of the cost compared to those expensive ones, making it moreaffordable. In him I saw a noble mind.

Probably the only Missile scientist in this Universe who could use thematerials made to fly missiles now make little kids around the World

walk with confidence. Dr.Kalam’s idea of using the composite materialsused in missile frames to make lightweight calipers, made me see not

only a compassionate leader, but deep inside him, a lovable mother

also.


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8. Leaders create Institutions...They live as an Institution personally

To me,Dr.Abdul Kalam is an institution. Blessed are those who are into teaching profession.For how much he loved teaching is known to the World. For me, Kalam Iyya Institutionexemplifies various departments … Department of Humanity … Department of Humility,

Department of Compassion, Department of Smile, Department of Sacrifice, Department ofPositive Energy, Department of Dream, Department of Mission and Vision, Department of

Probity in Life, Department of Curiosity, Department of Giving Back to Society, Department ofIgniting Minds … and so on …

And, so it’s pretty evident that people from small towns with nothing except their dreams canreach heights far greater than one can even imagine during their lifetime. And the whole of this

Universe come together to ensure such souls reach for their dreams, irrespective of theirobstacles and challenges.

A dream that Dr.Abdul Kalam transformed into actions. As they dream and go about achievingtheir dreams for restoring humanity, the destiny takes care of the rest.

And, leadership characters that are most important and vital for any Organisation in today'sWorld to remain successful.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam : Missile Man of India

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