Rajnath Singh, 3 services chiefs pay tribute to the Missile Man on his birth anniversary

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by the three chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force on Tuesday paid tribute to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Bhawan here.

Rajnath Singh, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh were at the DRDO Bhawan to attend the 41st DRDO Directors Conference.

During his speech at the conference, Singh, praising the former President said, "I express my gratitude to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his 88th birth anniversary. He was an acknowledged scientist. His contribution to research and missile development brought India to small group of countries which are nuclear-capable and are known for their indigenous capabilities," Singh said.

He also urged the DRDO staff to follow the work ethos of the former President and to strive harder in order to fulfil his dream of a developed nation.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, better known as the 'Missile Man of India' for his contributions towards the development of the country's missile projects was born on October 15, 1931, at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu.

In 2002, Dr Kalam became the 11th President of India and famously became the 'People's President' for his friendly nature to one and all.

In 2010, the United Nations decided to recognise October 15 as World Students' Day. Dr Kalam always referred to himself as a teacher first.

The former President suffered a cardiac arrest on July 27, 2015, and passed away while giving a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong.