Introduction – A Scientist Who Became a Legend Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is known as the Missile Man of India , a visionary who transformed India’s defense and space programs. His journey from a small town in Tamil Nadu to becoming India’s most respected scientist and later the President is a story of innovation, sacrifice, and service. This article explores Kalam’s scientific life , his role as a research scientist , and his unmatched contributions to Indian defense technology . Early Interest in Science and Engineering Born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Kalam was deeply curious as a child. He loved mathematics and science. Despite financial hardships, he studied physics and then aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) . At MIT, he chose to specialize in aeronautical engineering. His final-year project was to design a low-level attack aircraft—his dedication impressed his professors and laid the foundation for his research career. Entry into the...