Wings of Fire: The Inspiring Journey of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam "You have to dream before your dreams can come true." Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, affectionately known as the "Missile Man of India," was born on October 15, 1931, in a small village called Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India. His early life was modest; his father, Jainulabdeen, was a boat owner and his mother, Ashiamma, a homemaker. Despite their financial constraints, Kalam's parents emphasized the importance of education and hard work. Kalam’s journey began in a small school in Rameswaram, where he showed an early interest in learning and science.