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Former Indian President Kalam dies

July 28, 2015

India is mourning the passing of its former president and top scientist APJ Abdul Kalam, who died on Monday. Known as "the people's president," he also played a major role in the country's nuclear and space programs.

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A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Kiran

India has declared the seven days of national mourning customary after the death of a former leader for Kalam, who collapsed during a lecture in the northeastern city of Shillong on Monday and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

He was 83.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Kalam in a tweet:

"Dr. Kalam enjoyed being with people: People and youngsters adored him. He loved students and spent his final moments among the," Modi also wrote.

Humble beginnings

Born to a poor family of boat builders in the state of Tamil Nadu in 1931, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam rose to become 11th president of India in 2002, holding the position until 2007.

Before that, he was a scientist and science administrator for four decades, mainly at the state-run Defense Research and Development Organization and the Indian Space Research Organization, earning a reputation as the father of the country's military missile program - and thus the moniker "India's missile man."

Among other things, he played a pivotal role in the country's nuclear weapons tests in 1998.

After his term as president ended, Kalam continued his academic work, regularly delivering lectures to students both at top universities and remote schools and colleges.

He was also a successful author, publishing several books including a collection of poems and a best-selling autobiography, entitled "Wings of Fire," which hit the shelves in 1999.

tj/jil (dpa, AP, AFP)