Chirag Paswan pays tribute to 'Missile Man' Dr. Kalam on birth anniversary
Synopsis
Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary, honouring the 'Missile Man of India' for his foundational contributions to the country's science and defence sectors.
Key Takeaways
Minister Chirag Paswan posted a tribute on X on October 15, 2026 , marking Dr.
Kalam's birth anniversary.
Kalam was born on October 15, 1931 , in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu .
He led India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme , earning the title 'Missile Man of India.' Kalam received the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in 1997 .
He served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007 .
October 15 is observed annually with student programmes and national events commemorating his legacy.
On the birth anniversary of one of India's most beloved scientist-statesmen, Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday, October 15 paid his respects to Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, honouring the man who gave India its missile backbone and its most enduring image of a scientist-president.
Posting on X, Paswan wrote: 'शत्-शत् नमन' — a Hindi expression of deepest salutation — calling Kalam 'the great scientist who took India to new heights in the scientific and defence sectors' and the timeless 'Missile Man of India.'From ISRO's launch pads to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. An aerospace engineer by training, he anchored India's most consequential defence science programmes from the 1980s onward — most visibly as the chief architect of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGDMP), the umbrella effort that produced the Agni and Prithvi missile families. That work earned him the nickname 'Missile Man,' and the nation's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1997. He went on to serve as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007, a tenure defined by its unusually close engagement with students and young people — a legacy that outlasts any single policy decision.Why October 15 draws tributes from across the political spectrum
Kalam's birth anniversary has become one of the few dates on the Indian political calendar that commands genuinely cross-partisan homage. Scientists, defence researchers, educators, and leaders from every party mark the day, reflecting the rare consensus his life commands. Annual student-focused programmes and institutional events across the country keep that legacy visible for a generation that never saw him in office. Paswan's tribute, brief and warm, is part of that wider national cadence — a reminder that India's scientific ambition carries a human face.Point of View
Born in the Cold War-era urgency of the IGDMP, continues to serve as shorthand for indigenous capability, making October 15 a politically costless but symbolically loaded occasion for leaders of every stripe.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is October 15 celebrated as a special day in India?
October 15 is the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam , former President of India and the architect of the country's missile programme. It is observed nationally with tributes, student events, and institutional programmes honouring his legacy.
Why is Dr. Kalam called the Missile Man of India?
Dr. Kalam earned the title 'Missile Man of India' for his leadership of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGDMP) from the 1980s onward, which produced the Agni and Prithvi missile families and fundamentally advanced India's defence capabilities.
When did Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam receive the Bharat Ratna?
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was awarded the Bharat Ratna , India's highest civilian honour, in 1997 , in recognition of his contributions to science and national defence.
Who is Chirag Paswan and which party does he lead?
Chirag Paswan is the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and the national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) , a key ally in the ruling NDA coalition.
When did Dr. Kalam serve as President of India?
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007 , a tenure widely remembered for his close engagement with students and his vision of a developed India.
