The day honours former Indian President Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam's birthday.
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in the pilgrimage centre of Rameswaram on Pamban Island, India, to a Tamil Muslim family.
Kalam was awarded seven honorary doctorates from 40 universities, demonstrating his expertise in his field.
On July 27, 2015, he suffered a cardiac arrest and died at Bethany Hospital while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong.