APJ Abdul Kalam was people's President: Singapore's PM Lee Hsien Loong

SINGAPORE: Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today called APJ Abdul Kalam as the "people's president" as he paid tribute to the former President.

"I was honoured to meet Dr Kalam when he visited Singapore in 2006. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of India during this time of sorrow," said Lee of the former Indian president who passed away yesterday on his Facebook account.

"Dr Kalam had humble beginnings, but rose to become a top scientist at India's defence research organisation. He then served as the country's 11th President from 2002 to 2007, and was widely regarded as the 'People's President'," he said.