File Photo: Former President APJ Abdul Kalam
The prestigious Missile Complex in Hyderabad, which houses research units of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was renamed after late President APJ Abdul Kalam on the occasion of his 84th birth anniversary on Thursday.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar attended the renaming ceremony at the Research Centre Imarat (RCI).
The "Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex" comprises Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and RCI, which is considered the brain child of Dr Kalam, who was also known as the 'Missile Man'.
"It gives me immense pleasure to declare this Missile Complex as the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in the remembrance of a great scientist," Mr Parrikar said.
As its Founder-Director, Dr Kalam conceived and steered RCI as a generator of critical missile technologies.
Popular as the 'People's President', Dr Kalam passed away on July 27. The Bharat Ratna awardee was the 11th President and held the top post from 2002 to 2007.
G Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Director of RCI along with other distinguished scientists, senior officials and staff of DRDO were present during the event.