APJ Abdul Kalam's posessions to be brought back to Delhi: Kapil Mishra, AAP Culture Minister

NEW DELHI: Delhi's culture minister Kapil Mishra on Tuesday announced that the city administration will bring all possessions of late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam from his family home in Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram to Delhi for setting up a research and knowledge centre, as requested by Kalam's family.

"As per the family’s request, the Delhi government is ready to bring back all of Dr.Kalam's books and possessions that were sent away from his 10, Rajaji Marg residence in Delhi," said Mishra in an official statement. Further, he explained how the process of setting up the Centre will unfold. "This will first begin by an exhibition at Delhi Haat INA with a creative presentation of his memories and heritage. This will be a temporary home for the public to visit one of the country’s most loveable Presidents. In the next few months, we will help set up the Research and Knowledge Center that Dr. Kalam would have truly loved to be his resting place, in the hearts and minds of people," he added.

On November 11, Kalam's elder brother APJ Mohammad Muthu Meeranlebbai Maraikayar had written to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requesting him to set up a 'Kalam National Centre for Knowledge Discovery' in the capital.

Kalam's possessions had been sent back to Rameswaram by the Centre after his death. Now, a three-member committee comprising Delhi government officials viz. Chandramohan Bassi, Senior Chief Manager at DTTDC; Sanjay Garg from Delhi Archives and BS Vasisht, Deputy Secretary of Art, Culture and Languages Ministry has been set up to facilitate this transfer of Dr. Kalam’s belongings to Delhi.

"Officials from the Ministry of Art and Culture will soon visit Dr Kalam’s house in Rameswaram to assess the quantity of his possessions and books. They will also make necessary arrangements in consultation with Dr Kalam’s family to move his belongings to Delhi as soon as possible," Mishra's statement added.