The Parliament today hailed APJ Abdul Kalam as the "real gem" of India, saying the death of the former President has taken away its "true son" who became the driving force behind the country's space and missile programme.
"In Dr Kalam's death, the country has lost a sagacious statesman, a great scientist and a friend of the under-privileged and a fine human being," the Lok Sabha said in a glowing tribute to Dr Kalam, who died in Shillong yesterday.
The Rajya Sabha said: "In the passing away of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the country has lost a true son of India and his contributions to the nation, in his capacity as a man of technology, a teacher and a leader will be deeply cherished by a grateful nation."
As a mark of respect to the departed leader, members in both Houses stood in silence for a brief while before the proceedings were adjourned for the day.
The Lower House was adjourned till July 30 to enable members to attend the late President's funeral ceremony tomorrow, while the Upper House would have its sitting tomorrow.
Paying rich tributes to Dr Kalam, who served as President from 2002-2007, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said he was the "real gem of India". Till his last breath, he was doing what he loved best, interacting with young India, igniting their minds with scientific temperament and spirit of inquiry.
Noting that Dr Kalam was a unique personality who embodied rare intellectual brilliance and an undying scientific zeal, Ms Mahajan said he worked his way to become the driving force behind India's space and missile programmes and "came to be known as the 'Missile Man of India'".
He played a pivotal organisational and technical role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974, the Speaker said.
"Dr Kalam was a noble man of 83 years, with energy and enthusiasm of 38 years and an innocent smile of an 8-year old," Ms Mahajan said.
She said his passing away has indeed left a void but his life will ever remain an inspiration to all. "He has left an indelible imprint upon our national psyche".
"In Dr Kalam's death, the country has lost a sagacious statesman, a great scientist and a friend of the under-privileged and a fine human being," the Lok Sabha said in a glowing tribute to Dr Kalam, who died in Shillong yesterday.
The Rajya Sabha said: "In the passing away of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the country has lost a true son of India and his contributions to the nation, in his capacity as a man of technology, a teacher and a leader will be deeply cherished by a grateful nation."
As a mark of respect to the departed leader, members in both Houses stood in silence for a brief while before the proceedings were adjourned for the day.
The Lower House was adjourned till July 30 to enable members to attend the late President's funeral ceremony tomorrow, while the Upper House would have its sitting tomorrow.
Paying rich tributes to Dr Kalam, who served as President from 2002-2007, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said he was the "real gem of India". Till his last breath, he was doing what he loved best, interacting with young India, igniting their minds with scientific temperament and spirit of inquiry.
Noting that Dr Kalam was a unique personality who embodied rare intellectual brilliance and an undying scientific zeal, Ms Mahajan said he worked his way to become the driving force behind India's space and missile programmes and "came to be known as the 'Missile Man of India'".
He played a pivotal organisational and technical role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974, the Speaker said.
"Dr Kalam was a noble man of 83 years, with energy and enthusiasm of 38 years and an innocent smile of an 8-year old," Ms Mahajan said.
She said his passing away has indeed left a void but his life will ever remain an inspiration to all. "He has left an indelible imprint upon our national psyche".
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Roberta Metsola Re-Elected As European Parliament Chief All-Party Meet On July 21 Ahead Of Parliament Session, Trinamool To Skip BRICS Could Establish Its Own Parliament In Future: Russian President Putin Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Shooter Had Trump's Face Right In Middle Of Crosshairs, Shows New Video Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.