Category Famous Personalities

Is a microbe named after Dr. Kalam?

You may be tempted to call this microbe an extra-terrestrial being as it has been found only on the International Space Station (ISS)!

Scientists at NASA have named this bacteria after Dr. Kalam.

Researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the foremost lab of NASA, found it in the ISS filters and named it Solibacillus kalamii in honour of Dr. Kalam.

The filter on which the new bug was found remained onboard the ISS for 40 months. This filter, called as HEPA filter, is highly efficient and removes particles which are very minute from the surroundings. HEPA is an acronym for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance.  Arrestance measures the ability of the filter to remove dust.

Picture Credit : Google

What is the Hoover Medal? Did Dr. Kalam receive it?

As the name suggests, the Hoover Medal is an American award. It was established in 1929 and has been given since 1930. Engineers can bag this award if their work has helped the human race.

The award is named after the first engineer who received it, Herbert Hoover, who was also the 31st President of the United States. Kalam received it in 2008.

The prize is given jointly by these institutions which administer it:

  1. American Institute of Chemical Engineers
  2. American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers
  3. American Society of Civil Engineers
  4. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  5. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

It is given to engineers who have worked professionally and personally for the well-being of mankind.

Picture Credit : Google

Did Dr. Kalam receive the King Charles II Medal from the Royal Society?

Kalam is the second person in the world to receive the prestigious King Charles II Medal awarded by the Royal Society, which is an in dependent scientific academy in the U.K.

King Charles II Medal is a silver-gilt medal and was instituted in 1997. It is presented only to foreign heads of state who have notably contributed to scientific research in their country.

The first award was given to Emperor Akihito of Japan in 1998.

For Kalam, the award was an honour “to India and its people.”

Lord Martin Rees, the President of the Royal Society of England, praised Kalam for leading India in its scientific and technological development. Kalam’s role was crucial in India’s transit into a developed nation.

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What are the specialities of the plant Drypetes kalamii that is named after Dr. Kalam?

Drypetes kalamii is a new plant species discovered by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI). Drypetes kalamii is found mostly in Buxa and Jaldapara National Parks in West Bengal. It has been named after Kalam and is closely related to a medicinal plant known as ‘Putrajivah’ in Sanskrit.

Drypetes kalamii is a small shrub, found in wet and shaded areas of subtropical, moist semi-evergreen forests. They are found at heights of 50-100 metres. It has pale yellow flowers in clusters and bright orange to red fruits.

This is a “Critically Endangered” plant as per the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Forest fires and grazing are the possible threats which harm Drypetes kalamii.

Picture Credit : Google

Did Wheeler Island have a special place in Kalam’s mind?

Kalam lovingly called Wheeler Island as his “Theatre of Action”. There is a long story behind Wheeler Island and its connection with Kalam. “Ignited Minds: Unleashing the power within India” tells us what happened.

Kalam was the first director of the Integrated Test Range in 1982. He was successful with the demonstration of the Prithvi missile in 1993. DRDO needed a land range to conduct the final test to check out any possible errors. They ruled out its desert range in Rajasthan due to safety and political issues. They said ‘no’ to the Andaman and Nicobar

Islands as they were too far away from the mainland.

They wanted a quiet island off India’s east coast. It was Kalam who noticed the three small islands on the map which the Indian Navy gave to DRDO. These were near Dhamra in Odisha. The names on the map were interesting! Long Wheeler, Coconut Wheeler and Small Wheeler!

Kalam then sent scientists Dr V.K. Saraswat and Dr S.K. Salwan to locate the islands. But they could not find the islands and got lost. Luckily, they chanced on some fishing boats. The fishermen did not know of Wheeler Island but gave them directions to go to another island “Chandrachood.”

When the scientists reached there, they understood that “Chandrachood” was actually Small Wheeler Island. They found it suitable for missile testing and had to spend the night there. They had only bananas to eat.

Kalam got clearance from the then defence minister and Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to acquire the island. He wrote to the then Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik for permission to use the islands. Patnaik agreed on the condition that Kalam should make a missile that would reach China! Kalam gave his word to the CM.

Thus the islands were leased for 99 years to DRDO by the Odisha government. It was here that Prithvi was first successfully tested on November 30, 1993.

After reading this, you will probably want to visit Wheeler Island, now renamed Abdul Kalam Island. Sorry, but only DRDO and Defence Ministry officials are permitted to go there!

Picture Credit : Google 

Is there an island named after Dr. Kalam?

Yes, for sure. We do have Dr. Abdul Kalam Island and it is off the coast of Odisha. It was earlier named after an officer in the army of the English East India Company, Sir Hugh Wheeler. The island was renamed on September 4, 2015 to honour Dr. Kalam. It is around 150 kilometres from Odisha’s capital Bhubaneshwar.

We have an Integrated Test Range to test missiles here. Many missiles such as Akash, Agni, Astra, BrahMos, Nirbhay, Prahaar, Prithvi, Shaurya Missile, Advanced Air Defence, Prithvi Air Defence and ASAT missiles were tested here. It is one of the key missile testing facilities in India.

Abdul Kalam Island is close to the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. This is the world’s largest rookery of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle. Turtles love to nest on these sandy beaches. But the bright lights at the missile testing facility misguided some baby turtles! Attracted by the lights they could not find their way to the sea. Some of them died. So, all the lights at the facility are dimmed during nesting season. Missile testing is also cut down during the turtles’ nesting and breeding season.

Picture Credit : Google