Today, the people of India remember their former president Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (A.P.J.) Abdul Kalam by marking 8 years since his passing on Thursday, with politicians across the political spectrum paying rich tributes to the man widely remembered for being the "Missile Man of India".
Kalam, who served as India's 11th President, died of cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong, on July 27, 2015. The 83-year-old was also the recipient of the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna.
On Thursday, in a tweet in Hindi, India's Home Minister Amit Shah described Kalam's life and personality as "a wonderful confluence of excellence, simplicity, and sensitivity".
"...With his hard work, he remained dedicated throughout his life to empower the country, and guide the youth till his last breath. Tributes to the 'Missile Man' on his death anniversary, who took the country to new heights," the country's home minister stated on Twitter.
Looking back on his days while working with the former President, federal Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, said: “I join the nation in paying tribute to former President & India’s 'Missile Man’ Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his death anniversary.”
In his tribute, federally-ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on its official Twitter account wrote: “Tributes to the outstanding statesman, acclaimed scientist and a great source of inspiration to millions, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, on his death anniversary!”
Meanwhile, India's main opposition party Congress remembered him for putting the country on a trajectory of economic growth through technological development and scientific advancement and paid rich tributes to him.
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) where Kalam -- way before becoming the President of the country -- worked as a scientist and later elevated to the post of Secretary, also paid rich tributes to him.
Sharing a quote of Kalam where he said “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal”, the DRDO wrote in a tweet: “Floral Tributes to the People's President and the Missile Man of India. #RememberingKalam”
Apart from ministers, several state chiefs and netizens fondly remembered the “People’s President” as they paid a heartfelt tribute to him on social media.
Kalam was known as “Missile Man of India” for his contribution toward the growth of the country and programs related to India's Missile and nuclear weapons.
He was born on 15 October 1931 in the town of Rameswaram, in the state of Tamil Nadu.