Rameswaram grieves for their local boy APJ Abdul Kalam

In the temple town of Rameswaram, Abdul Kalam was as much a local hero as he was former President of India. He kept in touch with his folks in his birth place, and call his family members every evening. "He used to call his relatives every evening and talk to them. But the call did not come on Monday evening and they were a bit anxious since he had not been keeping well," said a neighbour.

As word spread that he had died, the town plunged into sorrow. Locals started gathering near his ancestral home near the Rameswaram temple. "We have lost a great man who made this town known across the world," said A Arjunan, municipal chairman of Rameswaram.

Among Kalam's siblings, Muthumeeran Lebbai Maraikkayar, the eldest, still lives in the ancestral home while his other brothers and sister have passed away.

Kalam's visits used to be rare- he was able to find time to hop in only when there was a public event in the region. But in recent times his visits had become more frequent. Last February, he inaugurated the centenary celebrations of Pamban rail bridge. This year, he visited Rameswaram twice because his elder brother was not well, said Arjunan.

Old timers in Rameswaram say Kalam always carried an air of dignity with him. He was polite and never forgot his roots even as his career as a scientist took off, eventually leading to him becoming the President. They say he was known for his integrity when he was a student at the Mandapam Union Primary School.