Dr. APJMJ
Sheik Saleem
- Entrepreneur
- Visionary
- Nation Builder
Dr. APJMJ Sheik Saleem is a social entrepreneur, educator, and environmental crusader who has dedicated his life to carrying forward the legacy of India's most beloved scientist-statesman, Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
Five years alongside Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
India Vision 2020 · PURA · Green India · New Delhi
For Dr. APJMJ Sheik Saleem, heritage is not history — it is a living responsibility.
A life measured in trees planted and minds ignited
As the Grand Nephew of Dr. Kalam and someone who worked closely alongside him for five years in New Delhi, Dr. Saleem brings rare personal insight and unwavering commitment to the missions Dr. Kalam envisioned for India and the world.
Four chairs, one mission
Each role is a different lever on the same vision — inclusive growth, sustainable development, and people-first governance.
01Co-Founder
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation | House of Kalam
Dr. Saleem co-founded the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and House of Kalam to institutionalise Dr. Kalam's vision of inclusive growth, sustainable development, and people-first governance. The Foundation drives initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, rural infrastructure, and renewable energy — continuing the missions Dr. Kalam championed throughout his life.
02Director
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Mission of Life Gallery
As Director of the Mission of Life Gallery, Dr. Saleem preserves and presents Dr. Kalam's life journey as a living inspiration for present and future generations. The gallery serves as a cultural touchpoint, igniting curiosity, patriotism, and innovation in every visitor.
03President
Rotary Club of Rameswaram
In his role as President of the Rotary Club of Rameswaram, Dr. Saleem leads community service, humanitarian aid, and goodwill programmes rooted in Rameswaram — the sacred town where Dr. Kalam was born and where his story began.
04Chief Coordinator
International 'We Serve' Foundation (USA), India
Dr. Saleem coordinates large-scale charitable projects under the 'Igniting Minds' and 'Solar Rameswaram' missions. Key initiatives include virtual smart classrooms in local schools, free public libraries, solar power for 22 public schools, portable solar lamps for underprivileged families, and solar LED lights for fishermen's boats.
Learning the nation from the man who dreamed it
New Delhi · Five Years
Dr. Saleem had the extraordinary privilege of working directly under Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam — the 11th President of India — for five transformative years in New Delhi. During this time he contributed to landmark national projects including:
- 01
India Vision 2020
A comprehensive blueprint for India's development.
- 02
PURA
Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas — bridging the rural-urban divide.
- 03
Green India Initiatives
Large-scale tree plantation and river-linking missions.
This experience gave Dr. Saleem deep, ground-level expertise in agriculture research, the service sector, industry, environmental protection, and renewable energy.
Ground-level expertise
Nine missions, actively pursued
Through the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Foundation, Dr. Saleem and his team actively pursue these missions.
Evolving sustainable development policies for inclusive growth at state and central levels
Five lakh trees down. One crore to go.
Dr. Saleem has taken tree-planting as a lifelong mission — having planted over 5 lakh trees across India in five years, marching towards a vision of one crore trees. He has conducted more than 500 environmental and social campaigns, workshops, conferences, and forums, earning the prestigious Green Crusader Award for his Solar Mission work across Tamil Nadu.
Trees planted across India
In five years
Trees — the standing vision
Campaigns, workshops & forums
Green Crusader Award
For Solar Mission work across Tamil Nadu
Also a member of
- Green Rameswaram Clean RameswaramInaugurated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in January 2014
- Gandhi International FoundationMember
Heritage is not history — it is a living responsibility
For Dr. APJMJ Sheik Saleem, heritage is not history — it is a living responsibility. Every initiative, every seedling planted, and every student inspired is a tribute to the man who taught India to dream. The mission continues.