New Delhi: Last respects were paid to the late former President at the tarmac of the Lokapriya Gopinath Borodoloi International Airport after his body was brought to Guwahati from Shillong by an Air Force helicopter at around 6:15 am. India’s favourite (former) president Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen ( APJ) Abdul Kalam passed away in Shillong, Meghalaya, on Monday evening. Kalam died of cardiac arrest.
All three Service Chiefs arrive at Palam airport to receive mortal remains of former president APJ Abdul Kalam. PM Narendra Modi expected to arrive shortly. IAF flight carrying former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s mortal remains to land in Delhi shortly, reports .
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi pays tributes to APJ Abdul Kalam, says he was the People’s President. Dr Kalam had the ability to connect with the youth of India. He dedicated his life to work, be it the missile program or being President. He will always be in our memory,” Rahul adds.
Dr Kalam was a symbol of unity, says PM Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is paying 
tributes to Dr Kalam right now. Modi says Kalam was a simple man.
Both House of Parliament pay rich tributes to former president APJ Abdul Kalam. MPs observe a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Dr Kalam. Also, Lok Sabha has been adjourned till Thursday so as to allow MPs to attend Dr Kalam’s funeral likely to be held tomorrow. Rajya Sabha has, meanwhile, been adjourned till tomorrow.
The last rites of former president APJ Abdul Kalam are likely to be held in his native town Rameswaram as per the wishes of the family members, IANS quoted a senior official at Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district as saying.
A large number of relatives, friends, well wishers and common people have gathered at Kalam’s house at Rameswaram,” APJMK Sheik Saleem, the former president’s grandson, told IANS over phone. Saleem is the son of Kalam’s brother APJM Maraikayar.
“The central government normally would consider positively the wishes of the family members on matters like this. The government is yet to confirm the date on which the former president’s body would arrive at Rameswaram,” the official said.
Bureau Report
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