A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was one of India’s most distinguished scientists, and the President of India from 2002 to 2007. He authored fifteen books, of which the most significant are Wings of Fire, India 2020, Ignited Minds and Target 3 Billion. Kalam was responsible for the development of India’s first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-3, and of strategic missiles. He held various positions in ISRO and DRDO and became principal scientific adviser to the Government of India. Kalam won the country’s three highest civilian honours—Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997).