Former President APJ Abdul Kalam's last journey, nation bids a teary adieu

RAMESWARAM: In a spontaneous outpouring of grief, thousands of people bid an an emotional farewell to former President APJ Abdul Kalam who was today laid to rest with full state honours in his home town here amid chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

The body of Kalam was buried in the middle of a 1.5 acre piece of land earmarked for the purpose at Peikarumbu here after being brought from his family mosque where special prayers were offered.

The "People's President" was accorded full military honours, including gun salute and playing of the Last Post as the members of his family and local Jamath lowered his mortal remains into a trench as slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" rent the air.

The funeral of the "Missile Man" was attended by a galaxy of leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who placed a wreath, offered his final salute and stood in silence in front of Kalam's body that was draped in national flag. He also went around the casket with folded hands.

The Prime Minister later went up to Kalam's eldest brother 99-year-old Mohammed Muthu Meeran Lebbai Maraicker, who was seated nearby, and offered his condolences.

Congres Vice-President Rahul Gandhi also paid his last respects to Kalam, who died of cardiac arrest in Shillong on July 27.

Besides some foreign dignitaries, several leaders including Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, his cabinet colleague M Venkaiah Naidu and state Finance Minister O Panneerselvam were present.

Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad and Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh Siddaramaiah Oommen Chandy and Chandrababu Naidu and CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan were also among those who paid their homage.

The three services chief also paid their respects to their former Supreme Commander.

Earlier, a large number of teary-eyed mourners swarmed the carriage carrying his mortal remains and briskly moved with it on the last journey of the 83-year old scientist.

Condolences poured in from the country and across the world, paying respects to the affable man who endeared himself to the masses with his simplicity.

Tight security, including deployment of Naval, Coast Guard and Marine police personnel in the sea around the town, was put in place in view of the convergence of several dignitaries.