APJ Abdul Kalam's funeral & memorial to be in his hometown Rameshwaram
Former president Gyani Zail Singh and former prime minister Chandra Shekhar’s last rites were performed at Ekta Sthal, located between Shanti Van and Vijay Ghat.
By Rahul Tripathi, ET Bureau | Updated:
NEW DELHI: The NDA government mooted a proposal to have the funeral of Kalam at Ekta Sthal in New Delhi and build a memorial at the site but his family declined the offer and wanted it to be in his hometown, Rameshwaram. It was after this a decision was taken for Kalam’s body to be brought to Delhi and then taken to Rameshwaram on Wednesday, followed by a state funeral on Thursday morning.
The news about the death of Kalam reached Delhi around 7.35 pm on Monday following which Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha and home secretary LC Goyal were asked to make arrangements for Kalam’s last rites.
A senior official was also deployed to coordinate with the Meghalaya government and making arrangements at the Palam technical area to receive the body.
The home ministry, meanwhile, was tasked to prepare a resolution on Kalam’s death and the special meeting of the Cabinet was called on Tuesday morning. The Union Cabinet met under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended its heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the government.
“Dr Kalam was passionate about transforming society through technology, in particular by inspiring the youth of India to harness science and technology for human welfare,” the resolution read.
According to an official, the proposal to build a memorial for Kalam at Ektha Sthal was taken during a meeting in home ministry late on Monday night as part of an earlier decision to build a common memorial sites for VIPs and leaders.
Former president Gyani Zail Singh and former prime minister Chandra Shekhar’s last rites were performed at Ekta Sthal, located between Shanti Van and Vijay Ghat.
The news about the death of Kalam reached Delhi around 7.35 pm on Monday following which Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha and home secretary LC Goyal were asked to make arrangements for Kalam’s last rites.
A senior official was also deployed to coordinate with the Meghalaya government and making arrangements at the Palam technical area to receive the body.
The home ministry, meanwhile, was tasked to prepare a resolution on Kalam’s death and the special meeting of the Cabinet was called on Tuesday morning. The Union Cabinet met under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended its heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the government. “Dr Kalam was passionate about transforming society through technology, in particular by inspiring the youth of India to harness science and technology for human welfare,” the resolution read.
According to an official, the proposal to build a memorial for Kalam at Ektha Sthal was taken during a meeting in home ministry late on Monday night as part of an earlier decision to build a common memorial sites for VIPs and leaders.
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Former president Gyani Zail Singh and former prime minister Chandra Shekhar’s last rites were performed at Ekta Sthal, located between Shanti Van and Vijay Ghat.
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Text: PTI, TNN
Popularly called the "Missile Man" of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam rose from humble beginnings and earned the reputation of being the "people's President" who endeared himself to all sections, especially the young.
A devout Muslim and son of a boatowner, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who assumed office as the 11th President on July 18, 2002, was seen as a figurehead who could help heal some of the scars of the communal riots which broke out in Gujarat just a few months before.
The country's first bachelor President, Kalam, whose flowing grey hair is seen as being at odds with what Indians thought a president ought to look like, was one amongst the most respected people of the country who contributed immensely both as a scientist and as a president.
On July 27, India's Missile Man-turned-People's President went as suddenly-at a youthful 83-as he had arrived centre stage to become a national icon.
Kalam collapsed while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong at around 6.30pm. He was rushed to Bethany Hospital but the doctors couldn't save him. His body is being flown to Delhi this morning.
Popularly called the "Missile Man" of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam rose from humble beginnings and earned the reputation of being the "people's President" who endeared himself to all sections, especially the young.
A devout Muslim and son of a boatowner, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who assumed office as the 11th President on July 18, 2002, was seen as a figurehead who could help heal some of the scars of the communal riots which broke out in Gujarat just a few months before.
The country's first bachelor President, Kalam, whose flowing grey hair is seen as being at odds with what Indians thought a president ought to look like, was one amongst the most respected people of the country who contributed immensely both as a scientist and as a president.
On July 27, India's Missile Man-turned-People's President went as suddenly-at a youthful 83-as he had arrived centre stage to become a national icon.
Kalam collapsed while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong at around 6.30pm. He was rushed to Bethany Hospital but the doctors couldn't save him. His body is being flown to Delhi this morning.
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