President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the many eminent personalities who paid tributes to former President APJ Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary on Monday, 15 October.
The President offered floral tributes to Kalam, who was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1997, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
#PresidentKovind paid floral tributes to Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan today pic.twitter.com/PTHcfiuhNw
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 15, 2018
In his tweet, Prime Minister Modi said Kalam will live in the hearts and minds of every Indian.
“An exceptional teacher, a wonderful motivator, an outstanding scientist and a great President, Dr. Kalam lives in the hearts and minds of every Indian. Remembering him on his Jayanti,” read his tweet.
The tweet was accompanied by a video of Kalam accompanied by parts of various speeches of the PM in which he eulogised the former President.
An exceptional teacher, a wonderful motivator, an outstanding scientist and a great President, Dr. Kalam lives in the hearts and minds of every Indian. Remembering him on his Jayanti. pic.twitter.com/Ko46nUhXx4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2018
“Tributes to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul kalam on his birth anniversary today. His simplicity, his dedication to his profession, his patriotism & his love for children will continue to inspire us. His life will keep encouraging young people to have dreams with ‘Wings of Fire’,” wrote vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu.
“Also remembering Dr. Kalam’s vision for India, especially for rural development and for taking fruits of scientific research to common man. India will forever cherish memory of this great visionary. Following path he showed us would be the best tribute we could pay to his memory,” he added.
Tributes to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul kalam on his birth anniversary today. His simplicity, his dedication to his profession, his patriotism & his love for children will continue to inspire us. His life will keep encouraging young people to have dreams with ‘Wings of Fire’. #APJAbdulKalam pic.twitter.com/ooW9IlhYr9
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) October 15, 2018
Also remembering Dr. Kalam’s vision for India, especially for rural development and for taking fruits of scientific research to common man. India will forever cherish memory of this great visionary. Following path he showed us would be the best tribute we could pay to his memory.
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) October 15, 2018
The Congress party, too, praised Kalam recognising him as the principal mind behind India’s missile programme.
“Former President Abdul Kalam was the key person behind India’s missile program and other critical research programs. On his birth anniversary we recall his life’s work along with his message of peace and goodwill. #AbdulKalam,” read a tweet posted from the official handle of the grand old party.
Former President Abdul Kalam was the key person behind India’s missile program and other critical research programs. On his birth anniversary we recall his life’s work along with his message of peace and goodwill. #AbdulKalam pic.twitter.com/Hhb8gROMhm
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 15, 2018
Former cricketer and Bharat Ratna awardee Sachin Tendulkar, too, paid his tribute to Kalam.
“A humble tribute to one of India’s former Presidents, who spread smiles and always put India before everything else. Dr. #AbdulKalam ji inspired millions to dream,” he wrote.
A humble tribute to one of India’s former Presidents, who spread smiles and always put India before everything else. Dr. #AbdulKalam ji inspired millions to dream. pic.twitter.com/u0XY0xLmtF
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2018
In his tribute, sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand art on the Puri beach in Odisha depicting Kalam.
“My heartfelt tributes to late President, #BharatRatna #AbdulKalam Sir on his 87th birth anniversary , My SandArt at #Puri beach, #Odisha,” he wrote while sharing the picture of his work on Twitter.
My heartfelt tributes to late President, #BharatRatna #AbdulKalam Sir on his 87th birth anniversary , My SandArt at #Puri beach, #Odisha. pic.twitter.com/2Ylv8NWt9B
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) October 15, 2018
Born on 15 October 1931 in a Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Kalam went on to work for the DRDO and ISRO for four decades as a scientist developing critical defence and space infrastructure for the country.
Kalam was instrumental in India’s Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. He became the 11th President of India on 25 July 2002 and served in the position till 25 July 2007.
On 27 July 2015, Kalam collapsed while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. He had suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away at the hospital.