Kalam begins his day by reading from the Bhagwad Gita

Kalam is said to lead a remarkably ascetic life.

He works for about 18 hours each day.

He plays the rudra veena

Known for his fondness for Subramania Bharati's poetry

He is a self-confessed Ram Bhakt.

Is an aeronautical engineer from the Madras Institute of Technology.

His first office at the Thumba space centre was in a church, St Mary Magdalene's.

Reputedly suspicious of colleagues who tried to befriend him

Took leave just twice, when his parents died.

Vikram Sarabhai was his mentor

After the successful launch of Agni, Kalam requested for 100, 000 saplings to plant at the RCI campus.