Lesser known facts about India’s former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Tamil Nadu. He served as the 11th President of India. He played a crucial role in the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear test. Dr. Kalam was very popular among children and the youth. He aimed to inspire them as much as he could.

Dr. Kalam died due to a cardiac arrest in the middle of a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management.

Here are some lesser-known facts about him.

1. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the 11th President of India from 2002-2007. He was India’s first president who was a bachelor and a vegetarian.

2. Hr received honorary doctorates from 48 universities and institutions from India, as well as abroad.

3. The reason why he is called the ‘Missile Man’ is that he was responsible for the development and operationalization of Agni and Prithvi missiles.

4. He was awarded the coveted civilian awards – Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), and the highest civilian award in India – Bharat Ratna (1997).

5. Kalam was the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and Secretary of DRDO for seven years, between 1992-1997.

6. His autobiography, Wings of Fire: An Autobiography was first published in English. It was later translated into 13 languages, which also included French and Chinese.

7. There are six additional biographies of Kalam’s life.