Maharashtra Legislative Assembly pays homage to APJ Abdul Kalam, R S Gavai

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today paid rich tributes to former President APJ Abdul Kalam and veteran Dalit leader R S Gavai.

Kalam died in Shillong yesterday while Gavai breathed his last in Nagpur last Saturday after prolonged illness.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis moved the motion of condolence in the Lower House.

Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, PWP leader Ganpatrao Deshmukh, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde were prominent among those who spoke on the occasion.

Fadnavis described Gavai as a "father figure" and his demise as a "personal loss" to him.

All speakers spoke in glowing terms about Gavai's contribution to the society and also Kalam's vision for making India a superpower.

Education Minister Vinod Tawde said the state government will celebrate Kalam's birth anniversary on October 15 as "Vaachan (reading) Prerna Diwas" in schools.

The initiative will help inculcate reading habits among children, he said.