Nation Mourns the Loss of Former President APJ Abdul Kalam
Leaders from across India's political spectrum came together to pay tribute to the late President APJ Abdul Kalam, who was remembered for his dedication to the nation and his passion for science and innovation. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying respects to Kalam, who served as President from 2002 to 2007. Kalam's humility, warmth, and love for children endeared him to the nation, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
Key Takeaways:
- President Pranab Mukherjee described Kalam as "a people's president" who will remain so even after his death, emphasizing his immense popularity and admiration.
- The late President was remembered for his passion for science and innovation, as well as his contributions as an eminent scientist, administrator, educationist, and writer.
- Kalam's passing away was met with tributes from leaders across the political spectrum, including Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he learned a lot from Kalam and recalled their numerous interactions, highlighting the late President's ability to connect with people.
- Sonia Gandhi described Kalam as "one of the greatest scientific minds and a scholar statesman" and one of India's iconic leaders.
- Manmohan Singh worked closely with Kalam as Prime Minister and greatly benefited from his advice, describing him as a "great human being" who made a phenomenal contribution to promoting self-reliance in defense technologies.
Statistics:
- Kalam served as President of India from 2002 to 2007.
- He was a renowned scientist, administrator, educationist, and writer.
- The nation mourned his loss, with leaders across the spectrum paying tribute to the late president.
- Kalam spent his final moments among students at the IIM-Shillong, where he was delivering a lecture when he passed away at 7:45 pm at Bethany Hospital.
Sources:
- IANS