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A. P. J. Abdul Kalam becomes President of India

· New Delhi

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam becomes President of India
Government of India, GODL-India · Wikimedia Commons

Rameswaram-born scientist A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, backed by both the BJP and the Congress, took office as the 11th President of India.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram in 1931 and became an aerospace engineer and science administrator, receiving the Bharat Ratna in 1997. In 2002 he stood for President with the support of both the ruling BJP-led alliance and the opposition Congress. He defeated Lakshmi Sahgal in polling held on 15 July 2002, and took office on 25 July 2002. He served until 2007 and was widely called the People's President.

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