APJ

APJ refers to Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the 11th president of India from 2002 to 2007. Born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Kalam studied aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology and pursued a career in government research and development. He spent much of his professional life with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), contributing to India’s civilian space program and to its missile development program. He led the development of the Indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) and played a key role in the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), which produced several missiles including Prithvi and Agni. His work earned him the Bharat Ratna in 1997, India’s highest civilian award.

Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007, where he was noted for his engagement with students and his emphasis on science, technology, and education. He published several popular books, including Wings of Fire, and remained an influential advocate for innovation and youth empowerment after his presidency. Kalam died on 27 July 2015 in Shillong, Meghalaya, following a heart attack while delivering a lecture. His legacy endures in Indian science policy, space research, and STEM education.