AMN /
The mortal remains of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has reached Rameswaram, his birth place this afternoon. From Delhi, his body was carried to Madurai in a special aircraft where it was received by Tamil Nadu Governor K.Rosiah and Chief Secretary Gnanadesikan. Central Ministers Manohar Parrikkar, Venkiah Naidu and Pon Radha Krishnan and many others paid their respects there. Later, it was brought to the Mandapam Camp in Rameswaram by helicopter at 1.50 pm, where the Ramnad District Collector K.Nandakumar and Superintendent of Police N.Mayilvahanan and Kalam’s family members received it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the last rites of former president A P J Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram tomorrow. Mr Modi will arrive at Rameswaram early in the morning and attend the rituals at around 11 in the morning. Penning his tribute to the ‘missile man’ and who was felicitated with the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, Mr Modi in his blog, said Bharat has lost a Ratna.
The mortal remains of ex-President Dr Kalam reached Rameswaram this afternoon, where tens of hundreds of people are gathered to pay homage to the leader who was close to the hearts of many. Braving scorching heat, people have thronged the pandal that has been erected for them to pay respect to the man who strived hard till his last breath to instill confidence in them for nation building. The District Administration has identified 1.8 acre land at Pei Karumpu in the Island for his burial tomorrow morning at 11 am with full state honours. The police has arranged heavy security arrangements as national leaders and several chief ministers are expected to arrive Rameswaram to pay homage to the departed leader who continued to ignite young minds.