Abdul Kalam: Not money, its hearts he won

- Awards took it as a pride, to get held in his hands.
- Honor titles considered it as an honor, to stay before his name.

- It's not the billions of crores in rupees, but the hearts he won.

Today is the 85th birth anniversary of the Missile Man of India, Abdul Kalam. On this occasion let us get a quick recap into his life journey and achievements.

Abdul Kalam started his career as a scientist at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved in India's civilian space programme and military missile development efforts. He thus came to be known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology.

He served the nation for 5 years after electing as a President in 2002, with the support of both the leading BJP and also opposition Congress party. For his gestures towards the normal public, within no time, he achieved the tag called "people's president".

Just after a single term, he came back to his civilian  life of education, writing and public service. He is the recipient of Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor.

Kalam who is fond of interacting to the students and teaching them, had to lose his life, while teaching itself. While delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Kalam collapsed and died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015, aged 83.

He was born as an Indian, achieved what all he aspired in India and left his life in India.

Coinciding with the birth anniversary of the former president APJ Abdul Kalam, the work on construction of a memorial is commencing today. A team of DRDO officials led by PK Singh arrived and visited the memorial site at Peikarumbu, Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu, where Kalam was laid to rest after his death.

Reportedly, Rs 50 crore had been allocated for the memorial and a knowledge centre. In the 1st phase, Rs 15 crores would be spent for the construction of the memorial on a 27,000 sq ft area. It would cover the burial site and a statue of Kalam. By July 27th next year, the memorial would be ready for inauguration, which is the 2nd death anniversary date. In the 2nd phase, the knowledge centre will be constructed.