Chapter 16
The Missile Man Of India
1. Who is called the Missile Man of India and what is his full name?
Answer: The Missile Man of India is A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. His full name is Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. He is famous for his contributions to India’s missile and space programs.
2. When and where was Abdul Kalam born?
Answer: Abdul Kalam was born on 15th October, 1931, at Rameshwaram, in Tamil Nadu. His birthplace reflects his early life in a small coastal town.
3. What was Abdul Kalam’s family background?
Answer: Abdul Kalam belonged to a poor family. The main income of his family came from ferrying pilgrims across the sea between Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi.
4. What disaster affected Abdul Kalam’s family income?
Answer: A strong cyclone lashed the shores of Rameshwaram and destroyed their only boat, which was the family’s only source of income.
5. How did young Abdul Kalam respond to this family hardship?
Answer: Abdul Kalam did not lose heart. He decided to help his family by working and earning money, showing his courage and responsibility at a young age.
6. What small business did Abdul Kalam start to help his family?
Answer: He collected tamarind seeds and sold them to a nearby shop. He also delivered the popular Tamil newspaper ‘Dinamani’ to earn some money to support his family.
7. What was Abdul Kalam’s dream during his childhood?
Answer: His dream was to help his family and to become a scientist. Despite many hardships, he was determined to pursue education and scientific work.
8. How did Abdul Kalam face challenges as a student?
Answer: As a student, Abdul Kalam faced many hardships and difficulties, but he faced those challenges bravely and never gave up on his goals.
9. From where did Abdul Kalam specialize in Aero Engineering?
Answer: He specialized in Aero Engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), which prepared him for a career in science and technology.
10. When did Abdul Kalam start working at DRDO?
Answer: He started working at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1958, contributing to India’s defense research.
11. When did Abdul Kalam join ISRO?
Answer: He joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1963 and made significant contributions to India’s satellite and missile programs.
12. What was Abdul Kalam’s role in SLV-III?
Answer: As Project Director of SLV-III, Abdul Kalam contributed to the design, development, and management of India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle to place the Rohini satellite into near-earth orbit.
13. Which missiles did Abdul Kalam contribute to designing?
Answer: He contributed to the development of the Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, and Nag missiles, which have become household names in India.
14. What does the term “near-earth orbit” refer to in the context of SLV-III?
Answer: Near-earth orbit refers to the low orbit around the Earth where satellites, like Rohini, are placed for various scientific and communication purposes.
15. How is Abdul Kalam described as a scientist and humanitarian?
Answer: Abdul Kalam is described as a great scientist and also a humanitarian who lived with extreme simplicity and cared for society, earning him the status of a National Hero.
16. When did Abdul Kalam become the President of India?
Answer: Abdul Kalam became the twelfth President of India in 2002, serving the nation with dedication and humility.
17. Name the awards received by Abdul Kalam during his lifetime.
Answer: Abdul Kalam received several awards, including Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award (1998), and the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (1997).
18. Why is Bharat Ratna considered special among Abdul Kalam’s awards?
Answer: The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award. Abdul Kalam received it in recognition of his outstanding contribution to science, technology, and national development.
19. What personal qualities made Abdul Kalam a National Hero?
Answer: His simplicity, humanitarian work, dedication to science, and his commitment to the nation’s progress made Abdul Kalam a revered National Hero.
20. How did Abdul Kalam help his family when he was a child?
Answer: He helped his family by collecting and selling tamarind seeds and delivering newspapers to earn some money when the family lost their only source of income due to a cyclone.
21. What was the main occupation of Abdul Kalam’s family before the cyclone?
Answer: The main occupation of his family was ferrying pilgrims across the sea between Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi.
22. What challenges did Abdul Kalam face in his early life?
Answer: He faced financial hardships due to the cyclone, the loss of his family’s only source of income, and the struggle to support his family while continuing his studies.
23. How did Abdul Kalam’s childhood experiences shape his personality?
Answer: His early hardships taught him responsibility, courage, and perseverance, which later helped him become a great scientist and leader.
24. What is DRDO and how did Abdul Kalam contribute there?
Answer: DRDO is the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Abdul Kalam worked there from 1958 and contributed significantly to India’s missile development program.
25. What is ISRO and what role did Abdul Kalam play in it?
Answer: ISRO is the Indian Space Research Organisation. Abdul Kalam joined in 1963 and contributed to the development of India’s satellite launch vehicles and missile programs.
26. What is the significance of the SLV-III project?
Answer: SLV-III was India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle. Abdul Kalam’s leadership ensured the successful placement of the Rohini satellite into orbit, marking a milestone in India’s space program.
27. How did Abdul Kalam’s work impact India’s defense and space programs?
Answer: His work strengthened India’s missile capabilities, advanced satellite technology, and contributed to the nation’s strategic defense and space research.
28. What qualities made Abdul Kalam an inspiring leader?
Answer: His dedication, perseverance, humility, vision, scientific knowledge, and concern for society made him an inspiring leader.
29. How did Abdul Kalam demonstrate humanitarian values?
Answer: He lived a simple life, promoted education, encouraged young scientists, and cared deeply for the welfare of society and the nation.
30. What are the names of the missiles associated with Abdul Kalam?
Answer: The missiles associated with him are Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, and Nag, which are important for India’s defense.
31. When did Abdul Kalam pass away?
Answer: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam passed away on 27th July, 2015, leaving behind a legacy of scientific achievement and national service.
32. What does the term “civilian award” mean in the context of Abdul Kalam?
Answer: A civilian award is a national recognition given to individuals for exceptional service to the nation in areas such as science, arts, public service, and national integration.
33. How did Abdul Kalam contribute to India’s missile program?
Answer: As a scientist, project director, and leader, he designed, developed, and managed missile programs, ensuring India became self-reliant in defense technology.
34. Why is Abdul Kalam considered a role model for students?
Answer: He is considered a role model because of his hard work, dedication to education and science, perseverance despite hardships, and commitment to the welfare of society.
35. What challenges did Abdul Kalam face in his career?
Answer: He faced technical challenges in designing missiles, managing large-scale projects, limited resources, and the responsibility of advancing India’s scientific capabilities.
36. How did Abdul Kalam’s early experiences prepare him for future success?
Answer: His childhood work to help his family, dealing with hardships, and learning responsibility instilled resilience, determination, and leadership skills.
37. Why is Abdul Kalam remembered as “The Missile Man of India”?
Answer: He is remembered as “The Missile Man” because of his pioneering work in designing and developing India’s missile systems and advancing strategic defense technology.
38. What awards did Abdul Kalam receive besides Bharat Ratna?
Answer: Besides Bharat Ratna, he received Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), and the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (1997).
39. How did Abdul Kalam influence India’s space program?
Answer: By working on SLV-III and satellite launches, he laid the foundation for India’s space exploration, research, and satellite technology.
40. What qualities of Abdul Kalam make him a national hero?
Answer: His scientific achievements, leadership in missile and space programs, humility, humanitarianism, and dedication to education make him a national hero.
Answer by Mrinmoee
