A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (1931–2015) was the first great scientist to become president of India (see Nature India go.nature.com/x8rltb). He died on 27 July while delivering a lecture on 'The liveable planet' to students at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong.

Dubbed the 'missile man' because of his pioneering years as head of India's missile programme, he was a big supporter of fundamental and applied science in the country. He was a favourite among students, igniting the minds of primary-school children and PhD students alike about science through his passion and approachability, patience and simplicity.