APJ Abdul Kalam – Last Salute to an Inspiration of India

The body of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who died in Shillong, was carried to New Delhi  by a special aircraft from here, as senior leaders and a host of officials joined in paying tribute to the country’s ‘missile man’.

The body of Kalam was buried in the middle of a 1.5 acre piece of land earmarked for the purpose at Peikarumbu here after being brought from his family mosque where special prayers were offered.

The country’s first bachelor President, Kalam had received several prestigious awards including Bharat Ratna, and played a crucial role when India tested its nuclear weapons at Pokhran in 1998 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

Dr Kalam, affectionately known as “People’s President”, was buried with full state honours. A 21-gun salute was accorded to the former president during the funeral.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and several other senior leaders along with thousands of people from across the state attended the funeral of Kalam, who passed away on 27 July.

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