New Delhi: The nation on Tuesday paid homage to former president APJ Abdul Kalam with thousands of people coming from all parts of the country to catch a glimpse of the leader for the last time. In an unparalleled gesture, 96-year-old Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Arjan Singh, one of the heroes of the 1971 Indo–Pak war, paid tribute to the 'missile man' of India along with the three defence chiefs.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of dignitaries offered homage to 83-year-old Kalam whose mortal remains were brought to Delhi from Shillong, where he died on Monday night of a massive cardiac arrest.
A host of VIPs including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also went to Kalam's residence at 10 Rajaji Marg in Delhi and paid floral tributes.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, D Raja of CPI, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar were among the dignitaries who paid respects to the departed soul.
The funeral of the former president will be held in Rameswaram, his birth place in Tamil Nadu, on July 30 with full military honours. He would be given a state funeral and the last rites would be held at 11 AM on Thrusday.
The Union Cabinet passed a resolution condoling the death hailing his services to the nation. It said, "in his passing away the country has lost a visionary scientist, a true nationalist and a great son".
Both Houses of Parliament adjourned for the day after paying glowing tributes to Kalam. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will now meet on July 30.
A seven-day state mourning has been declared by the Centre and the Tricolour will be flown at half mast.
In its resolution, the government said that Kalam was passionate about transforming society through technology, in particular by inspiring the youth of India to harness science and technology for human welfare.
Apart from the political leaders and VIPs, school students and the citizens of the country also lined up with flowers outside Kalam's residence to pay homage to the former president.
Kalam, who was the 11th President of India, was popularly known as India's 'missile man' for ensuring the success of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). He was one of the most distinguished scientists of India with the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions. He has been awarded the coveted civilian awards - Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (1997).
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