Mortal remains of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam taken to Rameswaram; funeral today

The mortal remains of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has reached Rameswaram, his birth place this afternoon. From Delhi, his body was carried to Madurai in a special aircraft where it was received by Tamil Nadu Governor Shri K. Rosiah and Chief Secretary Shri Gnanadesikan. Central Ministers Shri Manohar Parrikkar, Shri Venkiah Naidu and Shri Pon Radha Krishnan and many others paid their respects there. Later, it was brought to the Mandapam Camp in Rameswaram by helicopter at 1.50 pm, where the Ramnad District Collector Shri K. Nandakumar and Superintendent of Police Shri N.Mayilvahanan and Dr.Kalam’s family members received it. 

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be attending the last rites of Former President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram tomorrow. Shri Modi will arrive at Rameswaram early in the morning and attend the rituals at around 11 in the morning. Penning his tribute to the 'missile man' and who was felicitated with the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, Shri Modi in his blog, said Bharat has lost a Ratna. The mortal remains of ex-President Dr Kalam reached Rameswaram this afternoon, where tens of hundreds of people are gathered to pay homage to the leader who was close to the hearts of many. Braving scorching heat, people have thronged the pandal that has been erected for them to pay respect to the man who strived hard till his last breath to instill confidence in them for nation building. 

The District Administration has identified 1.8 acre land at Pei Karumpu in the Island for his burial tomorrow morning at 11 am with full state honours. The police have arranged heavy security arrangements as national leaders and several chief ministers are expected to arrive Rameswaram to pay homage to the departed leader who continued to ignite young minds.