Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen " A. P. J. Abdul Klam ( 15 October 1931 - 27 July 2015) was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007 . A career career scientist turned reluctant politician, Kalam was bron and raised in Rameswaram , Tamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering. 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 program and as Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology.
Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India in 2002 with the support of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the then - opposition India National Congress.Widely referred to as the"People's President," he returned to his civilian life of education, Writing and public service after a single term.
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
In his school years , Kalam had average grades but was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn. He spent hours on his studies, especially mathematics. After completing his education at the Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram,
Kalam went on to attend Saint Joseph's College.
PRESIDENCY
Kalam servead as the 11th President of India, succeeding K. R. Narayana. He won the 2002 President election with an electoral vote of 922,884, surpassing 107,366 votes won by Lakshmi Sahgal.
On 10 June 2002, the National Decemoratic Alliance (NDA) which was in power at the time, expressed that they would nominate Kalam for the post of President, and both the Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party backed his candidacy. After the Samajwadi Party announced its support for Kalam, Narayanan choose not to seek a second term in office, leaving the field clear. Kalam said of the announcement of his candidature:
I am really overwhelmed. Everywhere both in Internet and in other media, I have been asked for a message. I was thinking what message I can give to people of the country at this juncture.
DEATH
On 27 July 2015, Kalam travelled to Shillong to deliver a lecture on " Creating a Lovable Planet Earth" at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. At around 6:35 p.m IST, only five minutes into his lecture, he collapsed. He was rushed to the nearby Bethany Hospital in a critical condition; upon arrival, he lacked a pulse or any other signs of life. Despite being placed in the intensive care unit, K alarm was confirmed dead of a sudden cardiac arrest at 7:45p.m IST.
PERSONAL LIFE
