Last rites on Jul 30

Indians from all walks of life paid last respects to popular former president APJ Abdul Kalam Tuesday.

The 84-year-old Kalam, who was president from 2002 to 2007, was affectionately called the “missile man”, “scientist-patriot” and “people’s president” of India.

In his letter to Indian President Pranab Mukerjee, Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam described Dr Abdul Kalam as “deeply respected in India and internationally as a great scientist, an eminent statesman and a visionary leader”.

After his presidential term, Kalam returned to academics and regularly delivered lectures at top Indian universities.

Public emotions were running high that a boy with humble origins from this coastal town who rose to great heights had passed away.

President Putin said that in Russia, Kalam will be remembered as a consistent exponent of closer friendly relations between the two nations who has done a lot for cementing mutually beneficial Russian-Indian cooperation.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, aged 83, was wheeled into the Bethany Hospital’s ICU in a critical condition, after he collapsed due to a massive cardiac arrest, during a lecture to the students at the IIM in India’s northeastern city of Shillong, The Time reported.

Indian school children form a missile during a condolence ceremony for former Indian President A.P.J. The father of India?s missile program, 71-year-old Kalam said that the alleviation of poverty and development of rural areas are important issues for India. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Government of India will observe seven days of state mourning.

It said Kalam was responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for many development applications and piloted India Millennium Mission 2020.

His body first was flown to Delhi and later was taken to his hometown Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. No amount of prodding would make him comment on the acts of commission or omission by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi (now Prime Minister) or the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

Born in Rameswaram on October 15, 1931, Kalam, as a boy, hawked newspapers to supplement his family income. He also wrote 14 books on various topics including India 2020, Wings of Fire and Ignited Minds.