While the late scientist is often celebrated for his contribution to space and defence, Dr. Kalam also contributed in other sectors that people must be made aware of

One of the most brilliant minds India has ever produced, Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, would’ve turned 93 this month of October. The late scientist spearheaded India’s defence and space sectors and was responsible for India’s first indigenous hovercraft, first satellite launch vehicle, ballistic missile project, and integrated guided missile development programme. He was also the Chief Scientific Advisor that helped India test the Pokhran II n*clear test.

These are the top achievements of Dr. Kalam for which he has been celebrated throughout his lifetime. However, the former President of India also contributed to other sectors, such as healthcare, rural development, and fibreglass technology, among others. Therefore, to celebrate his birthday, we take a look at his lesser-known achievements.

Kalam-Raju Stent

(Credit- The Mint)

In the 1990s, Dr. Kalam and Dr. B. Soma Raju, a cardiologist, jointly launched the Kalam-Raju stent. Given that stents have always been expensive, the two personalities aimed to produce India’s first indigenous stent to reduce their cost so that millions of lives could benefit from them. Before the launch, the stents underwent multiple clinical trials, achieving immense success.

Light Calliper Project

Dr. Kalam also worked with patients suffering from polio, creating lightweight callipers alongside Dr. L. Narendranath of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).

Speaking to The New Indian Express, Dr Narendranath explained, “It began sometime in 1993, and I became its principal investigator by default after orthopaedic surgeon BN Prasad moved on. It was a long-drawn, difficult project, and we had to travel all over the country for research. It was not complete when he (Dr. Kalam) left the DRDO but came to fruition much later when he was the defence advisor to the Prime Minister. But whatever he was doing, wherever he was, he would keep a tab on the progress and wanted to know the status. He was beside himself with joy when it was ready. Nearly 30,000 people have benefited from the project.”

Kalam-Raju Tablet

(Credit- The Hindu)

To ease and organise the administrative work of primary-level healthcare staff, Dr. Kalam again collaborated with Dr. Raju to create an indigenous tablet for healthcare workers. The tablet was launched in 2012.

PURA Initiative

(Credit- Scribd)

2003 witnessed the former president focusing on uplifting rural parts of India by introducing the Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) initiative. The initiative focused on four key areas: Physical Connectivity, Electronic Connectivity, Knowledge Connectivity, and Economic Connectivity.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) conducted two pilot runs from 2004-05 to 2006-07. Later, PURA 2.0 was launched in 2012. During the pandemic, the Pune Rural Administration also implemented PURA to help people fight the pandemic in rural areas.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is heavily idolised in India and widely celebrated for his contributions to the space and defence sectors. But now you know how visionary the man was, who also looked into other needy sectors and did all he could in his power to make a better India.