DR. APJ Abdul Kamal Biography - Missile Man (Late Indian President)

The full name of Dr. APJ Abdul Kamal was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam,
He was the 11th President of INDIA from 2002 to 2007. He started his career as scientist than
turned to statrsman.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kamal was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, he was doctorate in
Physics and aerospace engineering. He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science
administrator, he mainly spend his life at Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved
in India's civilian space programme and military missile development efforts.

After this he came to known as Missile Man of india for his work on the development of
ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology.

APJ ABDUL KAMAL was elected as the 11th honoured president of INDIA in 2002 with
the support of both ruling parties Bhartia Janta Party and oppostion Indian National
Congress , he was referred as the "PEOPLE's PRESIDENT".

He returned to his civilian life of education, writing and public service after a single term.
He was a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest
civilian honour (AWARD).

During his term as president, he was affectionately known as the People's President, saying
that signing the Office of Profit Bill was the toughest decision he had taken during his tenure.
Kalam was criticised for his inaction in deciding the fate of 20 out of the 21 mercy petitions
submitted to him during his tenure. Article 72 of the Constitution of India empowers
the President of India to grant pardons, and suspend or commute the death sentence of
convicts on death row.

While delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Dr.APJ Abdul
Kamal collapsed and died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015, aged 83. Thousands
including national-level dignitaries attended the funeral ceremony held in his hometown of
Rameshwaram, where he was buried with full state honours.