Abdul Kalam will remain one of the finest human beings to have ever lived. He lived an illustrious and successful life, and his legacy will continue to inspire people around the world in the coming years. Below is a list that tries to do justice to his numerous achievements:
• After graduating from Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, Mr Kalam joined the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). He designed helicopters for the Indian Army, but he always said he didn’t feel at home at the DRDO.
• In 1969 he got the Government’s approval to expand the programme by including more engineers and scientists.
• After he was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Mr Kalam worked as the project director for SLV-III, India’s first indigenous satellite launch vehicle.
• SLV-III successfully launched satellite Rohini to orbit on July 1980. From then, Mr Kalam expanded India’s space programme.
• In the 1980s he led India’s missile programme. Under his leadership, India became a major military power after the successes of Agni and Prithvi.
• He was the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of Defence Research and Development Organisation from July 1992 to December 1999.
• In 1998, along with cardiologist Dr.Soma Raju, Kalam developed a low cost Coronary stent. It was named as “Kalam-Raju Stent” honouring them. In 2012, the duo designed a rugged tablet PC for health care in rural areas, which was named as “Kalam-Raju Tablet”.
• In 1998, the Pokhran-II tests cemented India’s nuclear prowess. Mr Kalam played the pivotal role in the project. He firmly told the international community that such arms were only to deter other nations from trying to subjugate India, and were only to be used as “weapons of peace”.
• In a rare show of unity, all political parties unanimously voted for Mr Kalam in 2002 as the 11th President of India.
• As President, Mr Kalam personified dignity and optimism throughout India and abroad. His stirring speeches at the UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever delivered. His simplicity in oration and action were applauded and made him dear to all.
• After the completion of his term as President, Mr Kalam became a visiting professor, wrote extensively and launched many initiatives for youth development. “Wings of Fire” and “India 2020” are modern classics, and have motivated millions of Indians.
• His books envision his dream of India as a superpower, with Indians as innovative and unique in their thinking. His speeches, books, works – all are the legacy of a man who spent all his life trying to make the world a better place.
| Year | Name of award or honour | Awarding organisation |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Doctor of Science | Edinburgh University,UK |
| 2012 | Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) | Simon Fraser University |
| 2011 | IEEE Honoray Membership | IEEE |
| 2010 | Doctor of Engineering | University of Waterloo |
| 2009 | Honorary Doctorate | Oakland University |
| 2009 | Hoover Medal | ASME Foundation, USA |
| 2009 | International von Kármán Wings Award | California Institute of Technology, USA |
| 2008 | Doctor of Engineering (Honoris Causa) | Nanyang Technological University, Singapore |
| 2007 | King Charles II Medal | Royak Society, UK |
| 2007 | Honorary Doctorate of Science | University of Wolverhampton, UK |
| 2000 | Ramanujan Award | Alwars Research Centre, Chennai |
| 1998 | Veer Savarkar Award | Government of India |
| 1997 | Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration | Indian National Congress |
| 1997 | Bharat Ratna | Government of India |
| 1994 | Distinguished Fellow | Institute of Directors (India) |
| 1990 | Padma Vibhushan | Government of India |
| 1981 | Padma Bhushan | Government of India |
(The Logical Indian)
