A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM 

 A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is one of India's most distinguished scientists. He was responsible for the development of India's first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-3, and the development  and operationalization of strategic missiles. As chairman of the  Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council, he pioneered India Vision 2020,  a roadmap for transforming India into an economically developed nation by 2020, focusing on PURA as a development system for countrywide implementation,

 Kalam held various positions in the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Defence Research and Development Organisation and became principal  scientific advisor to the Government of India, holding the rank of a cabinet minister.

 The President of India between 2002 and 2007, Kalam has been awarded honorary doctorates from thirty-eight universities and the country's three highest civilian honours-Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997) .

Kalam has authored fifteen books on a variety of topics that have been translated into many languages across the world. His most significant works are Wings of Fire, India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium and Ignited Minds. He was conducts lectures on social development in many international institutions and is involved in research on different societal missions.