A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was an Indian politician and scientist who was instrumental in the advancement of his country's nuclear and missile programs. He was born in Rameswaram, India, on October 15, 1931, and passed away in Shillong on July 27, 2015. He presided over India as president from 2002 to 2007. He was dubbed "Missile Man" and the "People's President" due to his scientific accomplishments and widespread appeal.

Presidency

Kalam was proposed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the ruling party in India, to replace outgoing President Kocheril Raman Narayanan in 2002. Despite being a Muslim, Kalam's popularity and stature were such that the Hindu nationalist (Hindutva) NDA nominated him, and the Indian National Congress, the main opposition party, even suggested he run for office. Kalam easily defeated former revolutionary leader Lakshmi Sahgal in the electoral college vote. In July 2002, he took the oath of office as the eleventh president of India, a largely ceremonial role. When his term ended in 2007, he stepped down from office and was replaced as the nation's first female president, Pratibha Patil.

carrier

Since November 2001, Dr. Kalam has pursued an academic career at Anna University in Chennai, where she teaches and conducts research in the field of technology and societal transformation. Above all, he made it his mission to meet high school students around the nation and ignite their minds for the sake of national development. 
Dr. Kalam has written four books that have become best-sellers in India and among Indian expatriates. These books are "Wings of Fire," "India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium," "My Journey," and "Ignited Minds - Unleashing the power within India." Numerous Indian languages have translations of these books available. 
One of India's most eminent scientists, Dr. Kalam has the rare distinction of holding honorary doctorates from thirty different colleges and universities. He has received the highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna (1997), as well as the coveted Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), and other honors. He has been honored with numerous other honors and is a Fellow of numerous professional associations. 
On July 25, 2002, Dr. Kalam was sworn in as India's eleventh president. His goal is for India to become a developed country by 2020.

died
On Monday, he passed away following a collapse during a scientific lecture. 
India has observed a week-long national mourning period. To be buried, the former professor's body will be transported by air to New Delhi on Tuesday.