The body was flown to Madurai on an IAF aircraft and later brought by a helicopter to Mandapam Camp in Ramanathapuram district.
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Kalam was born in 1931 into a poor Muslim family in Tamil Nadu, in India’s extreme southeast.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders also paid their last respects to Kalam – also known as India’s Missile Man. His funeral will take place on July 30 in Rameshwaram.
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mourned the death of former Indian president A P J Abdul Kalam, the media reported yesterday. Jayalalithaa, however, announced her inability to travel to Rameswaram owing to her health condition. Dr. Abdul Kalam was at heart a man of the people and remained so when he became the President of India. The mortal remains would be kept at the open ground opposite the bus stand till 8 p.m., for the public to pay their homage. Rajanna Koravi paid tributes to Dr Kalam by reading out his messages.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who tabled the condolence motion, said that Dr Kalam, apart from his important contributions towards the defence and space programmes of the country, also ignited the minds of the Indian youth.
Thousands came down on the streets of Ramesharam as Dr Kalam’s body was being taken for the final rites. His father owned boats, which he rented out to local fishermen.
In a 2008 interview with Knowledge@Wharton, Kalam explained his view of leadership. 600 when he determined to depart Rameswaram to be a part of the Madras Institute of Technology. For India to reach her potential as an economic, political, and sociocultural superpower, we need many more leaders to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Kalam.
“Kalam was Rameswaram’s present to the world”. However, after my wife, Tabassum; my mother, Ayesha Begum, and son Ghalib, told me how graciously you had received them I was really moved and it kindled a new hope that I may still get justice, ‘ Pancholi said.
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“Dr. Kalam was such a great person, and I am glad I was able to see him at close quarters”. When he was the President of India, he came to Bunglon village and inspects the needs of the school students. All of us stared at the relevant passages in silence for a minute or two.
