A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
From a newspaper-selling childhood to India's “Missile Man” and President.
Where it began
Born in 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, into a family of modest means. As a boy he helped support the household, including by distributing newspapers.
The challenge
Money was tight, and studying aerospace engineering required fees and sacrifice from his family.
The turning point
He studied physics in Tiruchirappalli and then aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology, which opened the door to work at DRDO and later ISRO.
The journey
At ISRO he was project director of SLV-III, India's first indigenous satellite launch vehicle, which placed the Rohini satellite in orbit in 1980. He later led the country's guided missile programme.
The impact
Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1997, he served as President from 2002 to 2007. He spent his later years teaching and meeting students, and passed away in 2015 while giving a lecture.
What we can learn
- Stay curious.
- Learn continuously.
- Work with purpose.
- Dream beyond your circumstances.
- Help others grow.
Tell the story
Speaking challenge
Retell A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s story in 1 minute: where they began, the challenge, the turning point, and one lesson for you.
Say it out loud. Nobody is listening — that’s the point. Mistakes are allowed.
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