Autobiography of Dr. A.P.J.

Abdul Kalam

Introduction

I am Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, born on October 15, 1931, in a small coastal town called

Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India. I came from a humble background, yet I was fortunate to have a

childhood filled with love, discipline, and strong values. Through my journey from a small town boy to

becoming the 11th President of India, I have always believed in the power of dreams, dedication, and the

strength of education.

Early Life and Family

My father, Jainulabdeen, was not formally educated, but he was a wise and generous man. He owned a

small boat and was also the imam of the local mosque. My mother, Ashiamma, was a kind and warm-hearted

woman who cared for all in the family. Though we had limited resources, my parents ensured that we were

never short of love and values.

I grew up in a multi-religious, tolerant society where people respected each others beliefs. This played an

important role in shaping my character and personality. As a child, I sold newspapers to support my family

financially, but I never let hardships come in the way of my education and dreams.

Education and Passion for Science

From a young age, I was deeply fascinated by flight and the sky. My school teachers, especially

Sivasubramania Iyer, motivated me to dream big. I completed my schooling in Rameswaram and later joined

St. Josephs College, Tiruchirappalli, where I graduated in Physics. But my heart was always inclined towards

engineering and aviation. That led me to join the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) to study Aeronautical

Engineering.

It was at MIT that I made up my mind to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. I worked extremely hard,

and with the support of my professors, I completed my degree successfully. I had a dream to fly and serve

the nation in the field of science.

Career in Space and Defence

After graduating, I joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1958, and later
 Autobiography of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969. At ISRO, I was given the opportunity to lead India's

first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) project, which successfully placed the Rohini satellite in orbit in 1980.

That was a moment of great pride for me and my team.

Later, I returned to DRDO and played a key role in the development of Indias missile programs, such as Agni,

Prithvi, and Akash. My work in these areas earned me the nickname Missile Man of India. I believed that

science is not just about research; it must contribute to national development and upliftment.

Becoming the President of India

In 2002, I was honored to be elected as the 11th President of India. It was one of the proudest moments of

my life. I served from 2002 to 2007. I was called the Peoples President because I always tried to stay

connected with the common man, especially the youth. I made it a priority to visit schools and colleges across

the country to inspire young minds to dream big and work hard.

As President, I didnt belong to any political party, and my only mission was to serve the people of India. I tried

to keep the values of democracy, unity, and education alive in all my speeches and initiatives.

Life After Presidency

After completing my term as President, I did not retire. I continued to meet students, deliver lectures, write

books, and work on developmental projects. I believed that the real wealth of a nation lies in its youth. I

wanted to see India as a developed nation, not just in terms of economy, but in character, innovation, and

compassion.

I wrote several books, such as:

- Wings of Fire my autobiography

- Ignited Minds about inspiring the youth

- India 2020 a vision for a developed India

- My Journey a collection of important life lessons

These books reflect my thoughts, struggles, and dreams for India.

Final Moments and Legacy

On July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture to students at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, I

collapsed and passed away due to a cardiac arrest. Even in my final moments, I was with students, doing

what I loved most sharing knowledge.

My lifes journey from a newspaper boy in Rameswaram to the President of the worlds largest democracy is

a testament to the power of education, humility, and determination.

Conclusion

I always believed in three things: Dream big, work hard, and never give up. I wanted every Indian to dream

and turn that dream into reality through hard work and moral strength.

I may no longer be alive, but I hope that my words, my work, and my dreams for India live on in the hearts of

the youth. As I always said:

"Dream, Dream, Dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action."