Missile scientist becomes India's ceremonial president

Abdul Kalam, a missile scientist who advocates nuclear weapons as a deterrent to war, was elected today as India’s ceremonial president, a local news agency said.

Kalam, 70, won the majority of votes cast on Tuesday by the national Parliament and the state legislatures, United News of India reported.

The announcement was also made by Aaj Tak and Star News TV stations.

With his grey, shoulder-length hair and a wardrobe of short-sleeved shirts and flip-flop sandals, he is expected to bring more informality to the 340 room presidential palace.

He will be sworn in as India’s 12th president on July 25, replacing Kocheril R Narayanan, who has completed a five-year term.

Kalam has insisted that him becoming president would not signal warlike intentions from India.

Instead it would show the world ‘‘technology is going to be used for development of the nation’’.

He strongly advocates scientific education for Indian children.

Born as Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam on October 15, 1931, Kalam began his early education at a village school in the southern port of Rameshwaram. He later received a degree in aeronautical engineering.

For many Indians, Kalam’s rise - from humble beginnings as the son of an illiterate boatman in southern Tamil Nadu state to the top of India’s scientific and fractured political establishment - symbolises the strength of India’s democracy.