This is the remarkable story of Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, the 'People's President' and a visionary scientist who propelled India to the forefront of space and missile technology. From humble beginnings to the highest office, Kalam's life stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to education, innovation and national service. A true polymath, Kalam's words and thoughts reveal the relentless curiosity, profound wisdom and enduring optimism that defined his life.
This New Edition completes the narrative by including the period from 1991 to 2015, showcasing Kalam's Presidential years and post-Presidential life, and concludes with his demise. With a Foreword by Harry Sheridon, Kalam's former private secretary, more than 50 new photographs and a wealth of interesting detail, this book explores the enduring legacy of one of India's most beloved and charismatic leaders.
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born in 1931, the son of a boat-owner in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. As chief of the country’s defence research and development programme, Kalam demonstrated the great potential for dynamism and innovation that existed in seemingly moribund research establishments. His efforts resulted in the successful launch of Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul and Nag—missiles that became household names in India and that raised the nation to the level of a missile power of international reckoning. After receiving India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, he went on to lead the team that conducted the country’s first successful nuclear test at Pokhran. He then served as Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister and Chief of DRDO, where his immense ability and leadership qualities led to his glittering appointment as the eleventh President of India. Even after he stepped down from this role, he never lost sight of the need for scientific advancement and championed, till his last breath, India’s place in the science firmament. He died on July 27, 2015.
Arun Tiwari worked under Dr Kalam for over a decade at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. He is a former missile scientist who later developed civilian spin-offs of defence technology. He was an Adjunct Professor at the School of Management Studies at the University of Hyderabad for 10 years. Now retired, he writes regular blogs on how to make this planet more liveable using technology, reflecting Dr Kalam’s legacy.
Foreword Preface to the New Edition Preface to the First Edition Acknowledgements to the New Edition Acknowledgements to the First Edition Introduction PART I: ORIENTATION (1931–1963) PART II: CREATION (1963–1980) PART III: PROPITIATION (1981–1989) PART IV: CONTEMPLATION (1990–1991) PART V: DISPERSION (1991–2002) PART VI: LEADING INDIA (2002–2015)