Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, born on October 15, 1931, received honorary doctorates from 48 national and international universities during his lifetime. Dr Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007 and was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1997. Also called the 'Missile Man', he played a major role in the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests.