[22] He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the 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. President APJ Abdul Kalam's Unfinished Lecture to Appear in New Book. [10][11][12][13] His father owned a ferry that took Hindu pilgrims back and forth between Rameswaram and the now uninhabited Dhanushkodi. President Kalam's Birthday to Be Celebrated as Youth Inspiration Day in Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu News | Indo-Asian News Service | Friday July 31, 2015. Then in 2002, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam won the Presidential Elections and was elected as 11th President of India.He served his services as the President of India from 25th July 2002 to 25th July 2007.. On 27th July 2015, Dr. Abdul Kalam Kalam, took his last breath and his soul dismissed to rest heavenly forever.His death was a matter of outpouring grief for all Indians. [82] The protesters were hostile to his visit as they saw him as a pro-nuclear scientist and were unimpressed by the assurances he provided regarding the safety features of the plant. While climbing stairs of the flight, he felt unease but got well soon after taking some hour’s rest in aeroplane. "[110] United States President Barack Obama extended "deepest condolences to the people of India on the passing of former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam", and highlighted his achievements as a scientist and as a statesman, notably his role in strengthening US–India relations and increasing space co-operation between the two nations. In 1963 to 1964, he visited NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia; Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; and Wallops Flight Facility. APJ Abdul Kalam was an aerospace scientist and a phenomenal teacher who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007, and widely referred to "People's President". [59], In September 2003, in an interactive session in PGI Chandigarh, Kalam supported the need of Uniform Civil Code in India, keeping in view the population of the country. [128][130] The first of eight meetings between Kalam and Pramukh Swami over a fourteen-year period took place on 30 June 2001 in New Delhi, during which Kalam described being immediately drawn to Pramukh Swami's simplicity and spiritual purity. "[133], One component of Kalam's widespread popularity among diverse groups in India, and an enduring aspect of his legacy, is the syncretism he embodied in appreciating various elements of the many spiritual and cultural traditions of India. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today announced that the state government would soon set up a centre for innovation named after late former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who died on Monday. [87] Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "Kalam's death is a great loss to the scientific community. Dr Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture to students at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. [76] On 18 June 2012, Kalam declined to contest the 2012 presidential poll. [75] Days afterwards, Mulayam Singh Yadav backed out, leaving Mamata Banerjee as the solitary supporter. [58] He also took the controversial decision to impose President's Rule in Bihar in 2005. When he was delivering a lecture in the class, at 6:35 pm, he collapsed. A new science centre and planetarium in Lawspet, Puducherry. He won the 2002 presidential election with an electoral vote of 922,884, surpassing the 107,366 votes won by Lakshmi Sahgal. Abdul Kalam", "APJ Abdul Kalam speaks to Editorial Director M.J. Akbar about presidential elections 2012 : INTERVIEW – India Today", "Dr Abdul Kalam, People's President in Sri Lanka", "Bio-data: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam", "APJ Abdul Kalam, the unconventional President who learnt the art of the political", "How two orthodox Brahmins played a crucial role in APJ Abdul Kalam's childhood", "Day before death, Kalam enquired about elder brother's health", "Not aware of any will left by Kalam: nephew", "Kalam meets the teacher who moulded him", "The boy from Rameswaram who became President", "Failed in my dream of becoming pilot: Abdul Kalam in new book", "Kalam tells students to follow their heart", "Koodankulam nuclear plant: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam's safety review has failed to satisfy nuke plant protestors, expert laments", "Now, 'Kalam-Raju tablet' for healthcare workers", "With him at the helm, there is hope that things might change", "SP to support Kalam for President's post", "NCP supports Kalam's candidature for presidentship", "Narayanan opts out, field clear for Kalam", "Presidential nominee Abdul Kalam files nomination papers", "Polling for presidential election begins", "A P J Kalam is sworn in as India's eleventh President", "APJ Abdul Kalam is people's president: Mamata Banerjee", "My toughest decision as president was returning the Office of Profit Bill to Parliament", "how a 110 years old became friend of APJ Kalam", "Signing office of profit bill was toughest decision: A P J Kalam", "APJ Abdul Kalam: The People's President", "President Kalam votes for uniform civil code", "Puri seer rallies for uniform civil code", "Kalam not to contest Presidential polls", "Talks under way on Presidential election", "Next President should be apolitical: Pawar", "Virtual world seeks second term for Abdul Kalam", "Race for Rashtrapati Bhawan: APJ Abdul Kalam a good choice, says SP; backs Pawar", "Kalam for President clicks on social networks", "Netizens campaign for second term to Kalam", "President poll: BJP rejects Pranab Mukherjee, Hamid Ansari, may back Kalam", "Presidential polls: We will not support Pranab Mukherjee, BJP says", "Prez poll: Mulayam, Mamata suggest APJ Kalam, Manmohan Singh, Somnath Chatterjee", "Mamata turns to Facebook, seeks support for Kalam", "Abdul Kalam not to contest presidential poll 2012", "Take part in movement against corruption: Kalam", "Dr Kalam's 'assurance' on nuclear power plants draws flak", "Kalam bats for Kudankulam but protesters unimpressed", "Abdul Kalam showed no signs of life when brought to hospital: Doctor", "Abdul Kalam, former president of India, passes away at 84", "End of an era: 'Missile man' APJ Abdul Kalam passes away after cardiac arrest", "Former President APJ Abdul Kalam Dies at 83", "11 Last Words of Famous People That Reflect Exactly What Life Was To Them", "Farewell Kalam! He was rushed to the nearby Bethany Hospital in a critical condition; upon arrival, he lacked a pulse or any other signs of life. [73][74] A month ahead of the election, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee also expressed their support for Kalam. [85] Despite being placed in the intensive care unit, Kalam was confirmed dead of a sudden cardiac arrest at 7:45 p.m. [151] In 1997, Kalam received India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, for his contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology in India. This page was last edited on 23 November 2020, at 14:51. [125][126], Religion and spirituality were very important to Kalam throughout his life. [94][95], India reacted to Kalam's death with an outpouring of grief; numerous tributes were paid to the former president across the nation and on social media. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Invites British PM David Cameron to Kolkata. [109], Kathleen Wynne, the Premier of Ontario, which Kalam had visited on numerous occasions, expressed "deepest condolences ... as a respected scientist, he played a critical role in the development of the Indian space programme. The foundation stone for a national memorial of APJ Abdul Kalam will be laid in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu today to mark the first death anniversary of the former president. This was most strikingly evident in the second-to-last book he published, presciently titled Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swami".