The body of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who >died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a lecture at the IIM-Shillong on Monday, was flown to Delhi early Tuesday morning by a special aircraft.
President Pranab Mukherjee received the body of Kalam. Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung was present at Palam Airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too were present at Palam airport.
The Army, Navy and Air Force paid their last respects to the mortal remains of the former president.
Kalam's body will be kept at his residence in Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, for public to pay their last respects from 4 pm. Indian industry today condoled the demise of former President A P J Abdul Kalam describing his death as an “irreparable loss to the nation“.
SP's demand
Samajwadi Party today said it will ask Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to name the 35-km long coastal road, that will connect the island city with Kandivali in North Mumbai, after the former president.
Indian Industry condoles death
Indian industry today condoled the demise of former President A P J Abdul Kalam describing his death as an “irreparable loss to the nation."
“His death is an irreparable loss to the nation as he has left a big void difficult to fill,” PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Alok B Shriram said in a statement.
Scores of people wait outside Kalam's residence in New Delhi to pay their last respects. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
D.J.Walter Scott reports from Rameswaram:
The mortal remains of the former President would be laid to rest on Thursday morning in Rameswaram, district Collector K. Nanthakumar said. The Collector said the body would be brought to Rameswaram from Delhi on Wednesday afternoon and the funeral would take place around 10: 30 am on Thursday. >Read more
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia pays tributes to the mortal remains of Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam at the Palam Airport in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo : R. V. Moorthy
PTI adds:
Leaders pay tribute
Several leaders including Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and senior IAF officials joined in paying tribute to India’s 'Missile Man' whose departure has plunged the nation into overwhelming grief.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik offers floral tributes at a special condolence meeting. By Special Arrangement
“It is an irreparable loss to the nation. He loved children, he loved the nation. I have met him many times. I took him to rural areas of Assam. He was a very simple and honest man. Along with India, entire state is mourning his death,” Mr. Gogoi said.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Anjan Dutta and other senior party leaders were also present and paid their respects.
Security personnel stand guard outside A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
State mourning
Wrapped in the tricolour, the casket carrying his body was taken inside the aircraft as a mournful hymn played in the background.
The Union Cabinet is expected to hold a special meeting in New Delhi to condole his death.
The government has announced a seven-day State mourning in honour of Kalam. “As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days of state mourning will be observed throughout India from July 27, 2015 to August 2, 2015, both days inclusive,” an official statement said.
President, PM condole
Condoling Kalam’s death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “India mourns the loss of a great scientist, a wonderful President & above all an inspiring individual.”
President Pranab Mukherjee said in a message, “In his passing away, we have lost a great son of India who dedicated his entire life for the welfare of the motherland and its people. Mr. Kalam was a people’s President during his lifetime and will remain so even after his death.” >More..
Parliament pays tribute to Kalam
Paying glowing tributes to former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Union Cabinet today passed a resolution saying the country has lost “a visionary scientist, a true nationalist and a great son."
The meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed its profound sorrow at the sad demise of former President of India yesterday in Shillong.
In the resolution, it said, “in his passing away the country has lost a visionary scientist, a true nationalist and a great son”.
Both Houses of Parliament adjourned for the day after paying glowing tributes to Kalam. >More..
A stellar career:
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (1931-2015)
Timeline
- » 1931: Born Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam on October 15, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
- » 1954: Graduates in Physics from Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, in 1954.
- » 1960: Gains degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology.
- » 1969: Transferred to ISRO from the DRDO.
- » 1980: India enters the space club by putting the Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit with the first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), developed under the stewardship of Dr. Kalam.
- » 1980s-1990s: As the chief of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, he was responsible for the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI Missiles.
- » 1992-1999: works as Chief Scientific Advisor to the PM and Secretary of the DRDO.
- » 1998: India conducts the Pokhran II nuclear tests in May with Dr. Kalam as the chief project coordinator.
- » 1999-2001: Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
- » 2002-2007: President of India
>A.P.J. Abdul Kalam passes away
The 11th President of India, widely acclaimed as the "people's President", passed away on July 27, 2015 after collapsing during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong.
>Mr. Kalam through the years
A look at photos from the archives of The Hindu of the former president.
- Mr. Kalam's recent article in The Hindu talks about neutrino research. >Read here.
- Failed in my dream of becoming pilot: Mr. Kalam says in new book. >Read here.
- Memorabilia of former President at his Rameswaram house attract visitors. >Know more.
- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's vision for the nation. A message on Teacher's Day from the former President, >exclusively for The Hindu In School.
