President's Secretariat
29-July, 2015 16:37 IST
Reminiscences of President Mukherjee on Former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam As conveyed to media on board his aircraft Enroute to Delhi from Bangalore on July 28, 2015
I am deeply saddened by Dr. Kalam’s unexpected demise. He would have completed 84 years in October this year. There is only a four year difference between us. He was born in October 1931 and I was born in December 1935.
My first interaction with Dr. Kalam was when he was Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri. After the Pokhran blasts, Prime Minister Vajpayee invited leaders of the Congress Party for a briefing. I, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and a couple of others were present. The technical aspects of the tests at Pokhran II was explained by Dr. Kalam through an impressive presentation. Vajpayeeji, Ministers and other political leaders analysed it from the political angle.
I congratulated him when he received Bharat Ratna in November 1997 and when his name came up for Presidency. But, we had formal interaction only after 2004. I was Defence Minister in the UPA-I Government when he was President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He asked me to support the Brahmos missile project. His direct encouragement resulted in the Brahmos being used by all the three services. Initially, it was a surface-to-surface missile. But now we have adapted it and there are surface-to-air, air-to-air, and naval versions. Dr. Kalam and his colleagues developed this indigenous cruise missile of India. Dr. Kalam’s contributions enhanced our defence capabilities.
Dr. Kalam used to often write poetry. Sometimes, while paying respects to departed soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti, he would compose a poem and quietly pass it on to me. I received two/three poems like this.
Our friendship developed because we had a common passion –books. He loved books and lived amongst them. His world revolved around books. Many years ago, I read in college a poem ‘My days among the dead are passed’. Dead here means authors who are no more. I am always surrounded by books. He too was always surrounded by books. Moreover, he was a prolific writer. This passion brought us together. When we met and the few times he came to see me, we would discuss books. What each one was reading or what he was writing. He chided me why do you not write? You read but your production is poor compared to your reading. Why don’t you write?
After my becoming President, he visited me several times and we discussed many things. On his last visit, he presented me his book ‘Beyond 2020’.
I was shocked when I heard the unexpected news of his demise. A sense of tremendous loss overwhelmed me. Dr. Kalam was always jovial but carried his years lightly. His mind was ever agile. He was humble but had a mighty mind. He was the people’s President during his tenure as President and will continue to remain so in the hearts of people after his demise.
No President was ever loved so much. Jawaharlal Nehru received a great deal of love and affection from children and the people. After that, it has been Dr. Kalam. Watching Dr. Kalam enjoy the company of children and students, it seemed as if he was Nehru in another form.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi paying his respects to former President APJ Abdul Kalam at his residence at Rajaji Marg in New Delhi.
Congress leader Raj Babbar and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda pay their respects to former President APJ Abdul Kalam at his residence at Rajaji Marg in New Delhi.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paying respects to former President APJ Abdul Kalam at his residence at Rajaji Marg in New Delhi.
The mortal remains of former President APJ Abdul Kalam is carried to a chopper in Madurai.
Family members of former President APJ Abdul Kalam wail near his body at Mandapam Helipad ground in Rameswaram.
DMK leader MK Stalin pays his last respects to former President APJ Abdul Kalam at public view ground in Rameswaram.
A child kisses former President APJ Abdul Kalams photo at Chikmagalur in Karnataka.
School children pay tribute to the former President APJ Abdul Kalam at a school in Gurgaon.
Abdul Kalam served as inspiration for millions of Indians: Obama | Zee News
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 06:05
Washington: US President
Barack Obama on Tuesday extended his condolences on the death of former president APJ Abdul Kalam, saying he was an inspiration to millions who worked to deepen space cooperation between the two countries.
"On behalf of the American people, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the people of India on the passing of former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam," Obama said in a statement.
"A scientist and statesman, Dr Kalam rose from humble beginnings to become one of India's most accomplished leaders, earning esteem at home and abroad," said Obama, who is visiting Africa.
An advocate for stronger US-India relations, Kalam worked to deepen our space cooperation, forging links with NASA during a 1962 visit to the United States, he said.
"His tenure as India's 11th president witnessed unprecedented growth in US-India ties.
"Suitably named 'the People's President,' Dr Kalam's humility and dedication to public service served as an inspiration to millions of Indians and admirers around the world," Obama said.
PTI
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China pays rich tributes to APJ Abdul Kalam | Zee News
Beijing: China on Wednesday paid rich tributes to former President APJ Abdul Kalam, terming him an influential Indian politician and active promoter of Sino-Indian friendship as it expressed condolences over his death.
"Dr. Kalam, former President of India was an influential politician, and also an active promoter of Sino-Indian friendship, and after retirement had also visited China many times and served as an honorary professor at Peking University," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
"The Chinese side expressed deep condolences on the death of Dr. Kalam, to the Indian government and people as well as conveyed sincere condolences to his family," it said in a written response to a question from PTI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over Kalam's death on his Chinese social media account Weibo, where he has several thousand followers.
"On 27th July 2015 we lost our beloved former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He will be remembered as a great scientist, a wonderful President & above all an inspiring individual. Dr. Kalam enjoyed being with people; people & youngsters adored him. He loved students & spent his final moments among them," Modi said.
"My mind is filled with so many memories, so many interactions with him. Always marvelled at his intellect, learnt so much from him. Here is a video of my speech in which I pay my tributes to him," he said.
Like he did in India, Kalam sought to make impression on Chinese students.
He first visited China in 2012 on the invitation of the Chinese government and was made Honorary Professor of the prestigious Peking University where he delivered lectures on sustainable development and creative leadership.
He visited Beijing again last year.
Prof. Jiang Jingkui, who heads the Centre for South Asian Studies in Peking University and attended both the lectures, said: "Dr. Kalam is not simply a scientist of India but also for the entire world. People of China will remember him for long."
PTI
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People gather in large numbers at APJ Abdul Kalam's Rameswaram house | Zee News
Chennai: A large number of people have gathered at former president APJ Abdul Kalam`s house at
Rameswaram to pay their last respects, a relative said on Wednesday.
"People in large numbers have assembled at Kalam`s house to pay their last respects," APJMK Sheik Saleem, the former president`s brother`s grandson told a news agency over the phone.
"All our relatives have also come to attend the last rites," he added.
The coastal town of Rameswaram, a Hindu pilgrimage centre, is located around 600 km from Chennai in Ramanathapuram district.
Kalam was born in Rameswaram and spent his young days battling poverty there.
Saleem said Kalam`s body will be kept at a location near the bus stand to enable the public to pay their last respects.
"Public can pay their homage till 8 pm today (Wednesday) after which the body will be taken to his house - `House of Kalam` at the Mosque Street," Saleem said.
According to him the last rites will be performed around 10.30 am on Thursday.
In a statement issued here Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said at the request of the family members, the government has allotted land for burying Kalam`s mortal remains.
Security has been tightened at Rameswaram in view of the large number of people, including ministers and others, who are expected to attend Kalam`s last rites.
IANS