India’s defence preparedness has been boosted by the leadership provided by former President APJ Abdul Kalam, whose contribution has been immense in making the country strong.
Dr Kalam was the father of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), under which the Agni series of long-range missiles and other such weapons were given shape, said Director of the DRDO-run Proof and Experiment Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur R Appavuraj while addressing the students of the SOA University here on Sunday.
“We have come a long way. While it took the DRDO scientists months to put together the long-range missile, it could be done now in two to three days,” he said. Appavuraj also praised the Central Govt’s “Make in India” campaign, describing it as a game changer. The function witnessed a fiery display by the Agni Group and a delectable Odishi dance performance by exponent Aruna Mohanty.