On the occasion of former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to him on Sunday, praising his incomparable contribution in nation building.

Raised in a humble household, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, on October 15, 1931. When he was a child, he used to even sell newspapers in his early years.

He studied aeronautical engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology since he was passionate about aerospace. Overcoming obstacles, he rose to prominence in the field of rocket and missile science, inspiring countless people with his inspirational story.

In his autobiography, My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions, he expressed his desire to fly and control a rocket, saying, Over the years I had nurtured the hope to be able to fly to handle a machine as it rose higher and higher in the stratosphere was my dearest dream, he wrote.

However, it remained a dream, as the late president finished ninth out of 25 contenders. Regretfully, there were only eight spots available.

Kalam wore several hats, from being referred to as the missile man of India for his work as an aeronautical scientist to his commitment to his students as a teacher.

In honour of his accomplishments, PM Modi wrote, on the occasion of his birth anniversary, he extended his heartfelt tribute to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president who was widely respected for his remarkable scientific aptitude and modest demeanour. His unparalleled contribution to the development of the nation will always be revered, the PM said.

On October 15, World Students’ Day honours Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s contributions to education and science. Though there have been rumours of UN involvement, it is mostly observed in India.

The post APJ Abdul Kalam birth anniversary: PM Modi pays tribute to former President appeared first on APN News.

Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India on Monday. She was pitted against the joint opposition’s nominee, Yashwant Singh.

Murmu was accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the oath-taking ceremony at the central hall.

With her win in the Presidential elections in 2022, Droupadi Murmu became the first tribal and the second woman after Pratibha Devi Singh Patil to be appointed for the highest office.

Read Also: Droupadi Murmu sworn in as India’s first tribal President

Presidents of India and their tenure

As Murmu became the 15th President of India today, here’s a look at Presidents of India and their tenure.

• Dr Rajendra Prasad: He became the first President of India on 26 January 1950 and served till 13 May 1962.
• Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: From 13 May 1962 to 13 May 1967
• Zakir Hussain: From 13 May 1967 to 03 May 1969
  • — VV Giri (Acting President): From 03 May 1969 to 20 July 1969
    • –Mohammad Hidayatullah (Acting President): From 20 July 1969 to 24 August 1969
• VV Giri: From 24 August 1969 to 24 August 1974
• Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed: From 24 August 1974 to 11 February 1977
  • — Basappa Danappa Jatti (Acting President): From 11 February 1977 to 25 July 1977
• Neelam Sanjiva Reddy: From 25 July 1977 to 25 July 1982
• Giani Zail Singh: From 25 July 1982 to 25 July 1987
• Ramaswamy Venkataraman: From 25 July 1987 to 25 July 1992
• Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma: From 25 July 1992 to 25 July 1997
• K. R. Narayanan: From 25 July 1997 to 25 July 2002
• Dr APJ Abdul Kalam: From 25 July 2002 to 25 July 2007
• Pratibha Patil: From 25 July 2007 to 25 July 2012
• Pranab Mukherjee: From 25 July 2012 to 25 July 2017
• Ram Nath Kovind: From 25 July 2017 to 21 July 2022
• Droupadi Murmu: From 21 July 2022-Incumbent

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6 die in explosion in firecracker businessman house in Bihar, rescue operation underway

The post From Dr Rajendra Prasad to Droupadi Murmu, a look at Presidents of India and their tenure appeared first on APN News.

The country celebrates the 89th birthday of late President and scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on Thursday. From being a president to leading the development of Indian missiles, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has contributed significantly to India’s progress in various spheres.

Kalam has been a symbol of inspiration for youth and children. After completing his presidential term, he did what he loved the most, teaching. He was the recipient of several awards, along with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.

His philosophy of thinking big in life inspires people, especially students and youth. He wrote some 25 books like India 2020: A vision of the millennium, Wings of Fire: An autobiography, Ignited Minds: Unleashing the power within India, Mission of India: A Vision of Indian Youth. 

After five years of his demise, Dr Kalam’s role in strengthening scientific and technological developments in the country is still remembered, and people will not forget it for many years. 

On the 89th birth anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, we are highlighting his five contributions to the country that are known to fewer people.

1- He donated his entire salary and savings to the charitable trust, PURA ( providing urban amenities to rural areas)

2- He designed helicopters for the Indian Army

3-He developed successful Satellite Launch Vehicles 

4- Worked with cardiologist Soma Raju to make healthcare accessible to all

5- Developed ‘Kalam-Raju’ rugged tablet PC for better health care administration in rural areas

The post APJ Abdul Kalam’s Birth Anniversary: Some less known contributions of the Missile Man appeared first on APN News.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Image highlights from around the world

PROTESTING PREJUDICE: A participant dressed as both Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump attends a protest against Trump’s announcement that he plans to reinstate a ban on transgender individuals from serving in any capacity in the US military, in Times Square, New York City, Reuters/UNI

ALL IN THE MIND: An Orthodox priest conducts a blessing in front of the Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft set on the launchpad ahead of its upcoming launch, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Reuters/UNI

DRIVING THE BIG BUS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the Abdul Kalam-2020 propaganda vehicle after inaugurating the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial at Peikarumbu, in Rameswaram, UNI

I SOLEMNLY VOW: Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi administers the oath to JD(U) president Nitish Kumar as Bihar Chief Minister at Raj Bhavan in Patna, UNI

GLORIOUS IN DEFEAT: Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (I/C), Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Vijay Goel poses for a photograph with the members of the Indian women’s cricket team on its return from London during a felicitation ceremony in New Delhi, UNI

AT WORK: A woman sculpts an idol of Goddess Durga in Agartala, UNI

ON THE SAME PAGE: Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro (left) presents Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) president Tibisay Lucena with a replica of the sword of national hero Simon Bolivar during a ceremony in Caracas, Venezuela, Miraflores Palace/Reuters/UNI

NATURE THE TEACHER: A man pushes his bicycle through a water-logged street after heavy rains in Ahmedabad, Reuters/UNI

HEAR US: Farmers from Tamil Nadu hold a demonstration to attract the attention of the prime minister to their demands at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, UNI

U-TURN: Muslim elders speak during a news conference regarding Israel’s removal of security measures at al-Aqsa compound, in Jerusalem, Reuters/UNI

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Memorial to the late former President APJ Abdul Kalam was today inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his home town of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. PM Modi inaugurated the memorial on Kalam’s second death anniversary in presence of Tamil Nadu chief minister and governor.

The dedication comes after initial delays and media reports saying that the place where the memorial of the former President was proposed to be built was lying neglected.

“It’s a happy moment for us. Although there was a delay in starting the project, DRDO completed this in record 9 months. Soon, there would be even a planetarium for kids,” said Sheikh Salim, Dr Kalam’s grand-nephew.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Narendra Modi had earlier announced on October 15, that a memorial would be built for the late former President and had requested the Tamil Nadu government to allocate the land for the purpose.

The work on the construction of a memorial was administered by a team of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials who visited the site at Peikarumbu last year. The entire Memorial is said to have cost about Rs 120 crores, featuring Mughal and Indian architecture. The structure is built on a 2.11-acre land, stylised and inspired by the outlines of India’s famous forts.

The interiors of the memorial boast the works of Dr Kalam, including the Pokhran nuclear test. “It is a symbol of national integration,” said PK Gupta, Director of the construction firm that built the memorial.

“Rameshwaram has a vital place in our history and it is also known as a place so closely associated with Dr Kalam,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi also flagged off a new express train from Rameshwaram to Ayodhya.

The second phase of the memorial will consist of knowledge centre – a library, a planetarium and auditorium and is expected to be complete in a year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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