While his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu shown much enthusiasm to pay last respects to Kalam at the burial ground near railway station in temple town.
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There has been an outpouring of grief on Twitter and since his death on Monday, almost half a million tweets have mentioned “APJ Abdul Kalam”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a long line of national leaders and celebrities who paid their last homage to the eminent scientist at a ceremony in Rameswaram in the morning.
Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah, union Ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu, Manohar Parrikar and Pon Radhakrishnan, Tamil Nadu ministers O.Panneerselvam, and Natham R. Viswanathan and others also paid their last respects to Kalam.
The Goof up was even committed by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh who mistakenly expressed condolence for Narendra Modi instead of Kalam Sir.
Tributes have been pouring in from home and overseas to pay respects to the country’s “missile man” whose life inspires countless Indians. The scientist, who also served as the President of India between 2002 and 2007, collapsed while giving a lecture. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan and India’s highest civilian honour – the Bharat Ratna – for his achievements.
At the mosque, the Aalin or the chief priest would read out special prayer and speak about the former president, who grew up from this island.
While social media has been abuzz with renaming Rajaji Marg after Kalam’s name, another online petition that has garnered over 35,000 supporters in two days is to rename Kalam’s alma mater Madras Institute of Technology in his honour. “Despite the many billionaires and “successful” men and women, there are hardly any role models we can present to the youth – Dr. Kalam stands out as a very modern role model, and his words are always inspiring”.
At his end, Hazari, who specializes in interactive fine art, portraits and psychedelic art told HuffPost India, “This was my way of paying tribute to Dr Kalam”.
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Later, it would be taken to the place of burial where prayers would be offered again.
