“Missile Man of India” and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is being remembered by all on his birth anniversary on Friday. 

Today is the 89th birth anniversary of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. 

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam served as the 11th president of India from 2002 to 2007. 

Kalam earned the sobriquet “Missile Man of India” for his role in the development of the country’s missile programmes. 

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“Tributes to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, known as the ‘Missile Man’, on his birth anniversary. He dedicated his life in making India strong, prosperous and capable. He will always remain a source of inspiration for the people of the country,” PM Modi said in a tweet in Hindi. 

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Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said: “To the man who shall forever remain an icon, and an inspiration for us ~ Bharat Ratna & Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam ~ I offer my finest tribute on his birth anniversary.” 

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October 15, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Kalam, is celebrated as World Students’ Day in honour of the former President. 

The United Nations had declared October 15 as World Students’ Day in 2010. 

Born in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Kalam studied science and physics during the early years of his life. 

Dr Kalam was also awarded India’s highest civilian honour or the Bharat Ratna.  

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He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan for his work as the scientific advisor to the government of India. 

Kalam breathed his last on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at IIM-Shillong when he collapsed and died from a cardiac arrest.