Amit Shah Unveils 'Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die' Book

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah released a book 'Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die' in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu on 29 July 2023. It is an english translation of the tamil book Ninaivugalukku Maranamillai.

• The book which has been co-authored by APJM Nasima Maraikyar and scientist Y.S. Rajan is a tribute to the life and legacy of the  noted scientist and 11th President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

• The Union Minister Amit Shah also visited the native birth place of Dr. Kalam in Rameshwaram and paid tribute to the late president at the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial in Rameshwaram.  

About Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: 

• Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam  was born on 15 October 1931 at Rameshwaram in a poor family and died on 27 July 2015 in Shillong, Meghalaya.

• Dr. Kalam earned a degree in  aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology and joined India’s premier Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1958.

Role in ISRO

• In 1969 Government of India founded Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Dr Kalam was transferred to the organisation in 1969.

• He was the project director of Satellite Launch Vehicle-III (SLV-III). The SLV- III was the first satellite launch vehicle to be designed and produced in India.

Role in DRDO

• In 1982 he rejoined DRDO and was made the chief executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGDP). Under Dr. Kalam's supervision a number of successful missiles like Prtihvi, Agni were developed, earning him the nickname of ‘Missile Man’ of India.

Role in Pokhran-II

• Dr. Kalam also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and was the Chief Project Coordinator of the Pokhran-II nuclear tests 1998. Five nuclear bombs were detonated in Pokhran, Rajasthan on 11 May 1998 under the code name project Shakti.

As a President 

• In 2002 he was elected as the 11th President of India by defeating his rival Lakshmi Sehgal. He was president from 2002-200.

Awards 

• Numerous awards were conferred on Dr Kalam during his lifetime. He was conferred with the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (1997) and second highest Padma Vibhushan (1990). 

Books written by Dr Kalam: 

Dr. Kalam was a prolific writer who authored and co-authored a number of books. 

Books authored by Dr Kalam 

• Wings of Fire : An Autobiography 

• Ignited Minds : Unleashing the Power Within India 

• The Luminous Sparks 

• Mission India 

• Inspiring Thoughts

• Indomitable Spirit 

• Turning Points : A journey through challenges 

• My Journey : Transforming Dreams into Actions 

• Forge your Future : Candid, Forthright

Inspiring Books co-authored by Dr Kalam

• Developments in Fluid Mechanics and Space Technology by APJ Abdul Kalam and Roddam Narasimha.

• India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium by APJ Abdul Kalam and Y.S. Rajan.

• Envisioning an Empowered Nation by APJ Abdul Kalam with A Sivathanu Pillai.

• You Are Born To Blossom: Take My Journey Beyond by APJ Abdul Kalam and Arun Tiwari.

• Target 3 Billion by APJ Abdul Kalam and Srijan Pal Singh.

• A Manifesto for Change: A Sequel to India 2020 by APJ Abdul Kalam and V Ponraj.

• Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future by APJ Abdul Kalam and Srijan Pal Singh.

• Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji by APJ Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwar.

• Advantage India: From Challenge to Opportunity by APJ Abdul Kalam and Srijan Pal Singh.