Former Indian President, APJ Abdul Kalam, Has Passed Away at 83

India's eleventh president, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam passed away on Monday evening at the age of 83.

Report says that the former rocket scientist turned president was conducting a lecture at Indian Institute of Management-Shillong or IIM-S when at around 6:30 PM he suddenly collapsed. IIM-S officials said that there were no signs of ill-health prior to the said event. However at around 7:00 PM doctors of the Bethany Hospital announced the passing of India's "Missile-Man" attributing the demise to cardiac arrest.

Coming from a poor family, Abdul Kalam was born on the 15th of October 1931 in Rameswaram. But he persevered despite the challenges in life and was able to graduate from Madras Institute of Technology or MIT- Chennai in 1960. Shortly after that he joined Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and helped in designing small helicopters for Indian Army. And on 1969, Abdul Kalam found his spot in India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) as a project director for Rohini satellite project which was deployed successfully. Following such success, in 1970, he was then chosen to direct the development of ballistic missiles which later propelled him on becoming chief executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Series of career success was achieved by Abdul Karam after his stint in the missile development area, but perhaps the most outstanding of them was him becoming the 11th President of India, succeeding K R Narayan. It was an election that India could always look back because of the one-sided result, allowing Abdul Kalam to be in position as president for 5 years from 2002 up to 2007.

Now on his death, India looks back on the life and work of their former great leader. India's current President Pranab Mukherjee was quoted saying "As president of India, Dr. Kalam was immensely popular and greatly admired. His warmth, humility and simple ways endeared him to one and all."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his personal feelings about the incident, saying that "India mourns the loss of a great scientist, a wonderful President & above all an inspiring individual. My mind is filled with so many memories, so many interactions with him. Always marvelled at his intellect, learnt so much from him."

Amidst this saddening News, the words of Abdul Kalam would serve as reminder and challenge to his nation, if not to the whole humanity. "If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher."

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