PM Narendra Modi places a wreath as he pays tribute to former President APJ Abdul Kalam (Associated Press photo)
The body of former President APJ Abdul Kalam was brought to 10 Rajaji Marg, his home in Delhi for the last seven years, on Tuesday, where hundreds turned up to pay tribute to him this evening. Among them were a group of children with roses.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dr Kalam at his residence. Among others who visited were former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
President Mukherjee and PM Modi had earlier received Dr Kalam's body at Delhi's Palam airport. A guard of honour by the three services was held at the airport.
(See pics)
(President Pranab Mukherjee salutes former President APJ Abdul Kalam)Dr Kalam's
funeral will be held on Thursday in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, where he was born. The former President is survived by his older brother Mohd Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraicker, who is 99.
The government has declared a
seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect for the man known and loved across the country as the "
People's President".
The former President died after a massive cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong, Meghalaya, last evening. He was 83.
Both Houses of Parliament adjourned today as a mark of respect Dr Kalam. They will remain adjourned till July 30.
"Dr Kalam was a national treasure first and a President later. Dr Kalam's personality was special, his life inspires us, it inspires the youth," PM Modi said today.
Known as the Missile Man of India, Dr Kalam played a pivotal role in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan and Bharat Ratna for his achievements.
While in his 70s, he was nominated for the MTV Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003 and 2006.