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7. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Parth Onkar Rathod (5C)
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam) India’s first indigenous satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III) in July,
was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as 1980, which placed the Rohini Satellites in near the earth orbit.
the 11th president of India from 2002 to 2007. He is widely This made Indian an exclusive member of the Space Club.
renowned for his significant contribution to the nation’s space At DRDO, he was the Chief Executive of the IGMDP
and missile programs which earned him the epithet “Missile Man (Integrated Guide Missile Development Program) , which
of India’. resulted in the development and operation of missiles like Agni
(Intermediate- range ballistic missile) and Prithivi (Surface to
surface tactical missile), significantly enhancing India’s defense
capabilities.
He played an important, technical and political role in the
Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, which established India as a
nuclear weapons state.
He served as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the
Dr. Kalam spent four decades as scientist and science Government of India in the rank of Cabinet Minister from 1999
administrator, primarily at the Defense Research and to 2002.
Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Space Dr. Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India in
Research Organization (ISRO). Satellite Launch Vehicles (SLV- 2002 with cross-party support and was widely known as the
III): As project Director at ISRO, he led the successful launch of ‘Peoples’ President.’
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Ahaana Ranade (7C) Yukta Hunari (9A) Swara Joshii (9A)
