Why is APJ Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary celebrated as World Students Day?

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My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions. But it remained a pipe dream with the late president coming in ninth out of 25 candidates. Unfortunately, there had only been eight slots available.

Kalam eventually joined the DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment team as a scientist in 1960. He was transferred to ISRO nine years later and helmed several important projects. He was a project director for India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle and continued working on an expandable rocket project.

APJ Abdul Kalam witnessed the country's first nuclear test, Smiling Buddha, and later directed Project Devil and Project Valiant -- efforts to develop ballistic missiles from the technology of the successful SLV programme. As the years went by, Kalam became an integral part of India's aerospace projects and defence research with the government initiating an advanced missile programme under his directorship. Kalam was elected as President in in 2002 with support from multiple parties.

He remained at the post for a single term before opting out of a re-election bid. Following his term in office Kalam had become a visiting professor for several leading institutions. "Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels