Name the defense minister who took the ride on Hovercraft Nandi developed by APJ Abdul Kalam?
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Answer:
In 1958, Kalam was posted at the Technical Centre. Based on his experience and studies, the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) set up a project team. Kalam was the leader. His first assignment was to design and develop an indigenous hovercraft prototype, called the Ground Equipment Machine. With limited resources and almost no information, the team designed and developed the indigenous hovercraft named ‘ Nandi”.
Defence Minister, V.K.Krishna Menon, was keenly interested in the success of this project. Inspite of his colleagues’ hostility Kalam and his small team succeeded in designing and developing the Nandi hovercraft. It’s appearance was not attractive but it could serve its purpose. V.K.Krishna Menon took a ride in it with Kalam at the controls. The risk was worth as it proved to be a smooth ride. The Defence Minister declared that the basic problems of hovercraft development were solved now. He encouraged Kalam to develop more powerful Prime movers and call him for more rides.