Sand sculpture of former President APJ Abdul Kalam created on his birth anniversary

BHUBANESWAR: Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture of former president APJ Abdul Kalam on Puri beach on the eve of his birth anniversary as a mark of honour.

Pattnaik said he has created the five-feet high sculpture using about four tons of sand with the message "Tribute to Dr Abdul Kalam, 84th Birth Anniversary".

Tomorrow is the 84th birth anniversary of Kalam, also known as the country's 'Missile Man'.

Students of Pattnaik's sand art institute joined hands with him in creating the sculpture. Many art lovers and local people gathered at Puri beach to see the sculpture, he said.

"He was the first president who had invited me to Rastrapati Bhawan in 2005 when sand art was not very popular in our country and encouraged me a lot through his inspiring words," Pattnaik said.