Buddha smile yet again in may 1998 at Pokhran. One of the men playing a crucial role in this was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, known to all as India’s missile man APJ Abdul Kalam. Son to a fisherman and a housewife from Rameswaram, humble origins didn’t stop this brilliant yet humble human being from rising to the highest post in the country. The 11th president of India has been revered as a teacher, as a role model but most importantly as a humane being.
Completing his schooling APJ distributed newspapers to contribute to his family of 4 other brothers and a sister, as he completed a degree in physics from St Joseph’s college. Dreaming of being a fighter pilot, Kalam tried but missed out placing 9th while only 8 positions were open in the IAF. Destiny would make him the supreme commander of IAF, and while he couldn’t pin the wings of a pilot on his chest, he did put wings of fire on India’s missile system to make her stronger and safer. Kalam followed up his Physics degree with higher studies in aerospace engineering in Madras institute of technology.
Kalam’s next journey embarks when he joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment under the DRDO. Mentored under Vikram Sarabhai the renowned space scientist, Kalam was then transferred to ISRO where he found his calling. As project director of India’s first satellite launch vehicle (SLV), Kalam put Rohini in a near earth orbit in 1980. He subsequently extended it to a polar satellite launch vehicle.
In 1974 when India tested her first nuclear bomb, Kalam was present as representative of the ballistic research laboratory, having directed Projects Devil and Valiant to develop ballistic missiles from the SLV technology. When India embarked on an Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, Kalam was appointed the chief executive of the programme. This programme sought the simultaneous development of a missile quiver, instead of standalone development of various types of missiles. India woke to reading about the successful testing of Agni (a ballistic missile with medium to intercontinental capacity), Prithvi (surface to surface ballistic missile), Trishul (short range surface to air missile), Aakash (medium range surface to air missile) and Nag (fire and forget anti tank missle) in the newspapers. This inspite of the Missile Technology Control Regime restricting access to any technology that would help India develop the programme. Kalam was in office as the supreme commander of armed forces to welcome the induction of the world’s fastest cruise missile the supersonic BrahMos in 2006.
In 1998 when Pokhran II, was invoked, Kalam played a crucial role not only in the technological space of the programme, but also in the political arena also. As the chief scientific advisor of the prime minister and chief project coordinator for the nuclear programme, Kalam’s contribution was unparalleled. Kalam’s contribution is however not limited to the sphere of nuclear science and aerospace only. Kalam has also contributed to medical field by designing a low cost coronary stent for use in myocardial infractions, along with the noted cardiologist Dr Soma Raju. He has paired with Dr Raju again to design tablet computer for use in rural health care
On 25th july 2002, Kalam was sworn in as the 11th president of the republic of India, and moved into Rasthrapati Bhavani on Raisina Hills. The people’s president has been revered for his mild mannered yet firm handling of his office which spanned two political spectrums of government, the Bajpayee led NDA and Manmohan Singh led UPA. Controversies like the handling of the mercy petition of terrorist Afzal Guru, rapist Dhananjay Chatterjee, and imposition of president’s rule in Bihar did stand out during his term. Kalam, while in office has also supported the need of a uniform civil code, replacing the personal laws of individual religious communities of India.
In 2007 at the end of his term, Kalam went back to a life of teaching and study. He has been a visiting professor at various IIMs including the IIM shillong. A bachelor and a vegetarian, Kalam enjoyed the pleasure of playing the stringed instrument veena. Kalam had also launched a programme for the youth with a core idea of defeating corruption.
Holder of honorary doctorates from 40 universities, Kalam has received all civilian honours from a gratified nation, including Bharat Ratna the highest civilian honour. In fact he is only the 3rd Bharat Ratna to have gone on to the highest office of the nation after Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan and Dr Zakir Hussein.
A teacher and mentor all his life Kalam met 100,000 students in 2 years since relinquishing his position as scientific adviser, interacting with them with a view to igniting their mind s toward contributing towards the development of the nation. It is among students that Kalam collapsed, while delivering lecture at IIM Shillong on “Creating a Livable Planet Earth”, and soon breathed his last at Bethany hospital .
While the world joined in mourning India’s missile man, the legacy left by him as he journeyed back to Rameswaram for his final rest, is not one of polity or of weaponry, but of knowledge. The world remembers Kalam for inspiring India to stand up as a technology super power inspite of the hurdles placed before her, but tomorrow will remember him for the inspiration he has provided to young minds. Inspiration to think beyond their backgrounds and dream. Inspiration to blaze out as he did from Rameswaram to Raisina hills on wings of fire. A P J Abdul Kalam, people’s president will live on as a teacher, inspiration and a role model.
