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28 March 2024

Kalam laid to rest: UAE Indians pay tribute

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Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen ‘APJ’ Abdul Kalam was buried with full military honours in southern India Thursday morning. He was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

A career scientist turned reluctant politician, Kalam was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied physics and aerospace engineering.

Fondly known as the ‘Missile Man of India’ and the ‘People’s President’, Abdul Kalam died of cardiac arrest in Shillong, and was laid to rest in his hometown Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu on Thursday with full state honours in presence of India PM Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and several other leaders and dignitaries from around the world.
As he left for his final journey, prominent Indians in the UAE paid their homage to the former India President.
 

Indian Army, Air Force and Navy Officers carry the body of former Indian President, APJ Abdul Kalam at Palam Airforce Station in New Delhi. (AFP)

Anurag Bhushan, Consul General of India in Dubai

Former President of India, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam was a man of impeccable character, indomitable spirit, profound knowledge and firm conviction.
In his simplicity and modesty rested an amazing capability to inspire young and old alike.  A role model for students and young people, he was always happy to be among them. Educational institutions were for him temples of modern India.

Personally, I was profoundly influenced by his books ‘India: Vision 2020’ and ‘Wings of Fire’ and especially that one quote: ‘We are all born with a divine fire within us. Our efforts should be to give wings to this and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.’


 
Yusuffali MA, MD, Emke Lulu Group

“Dr. Abdul Kalam was one of the most respected Indians all over the world. A great scientist, a visionary and even greater humanitarian, he was a living legend in true sense. I still vividly recollect my first meeting with him in Abu Dhabi during his state visit here and I feel truly honoured to have received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from him in 2005. He is the perfect role model for the new generation and generations to come. He has shown to the world, how you can live simply yet dream and achieve very high things in life.
 


Dr B R Shetty, CEO & MD, New Medical Centre Group of Companies and UAE Exchange

“The passing away of APJ Abdul Kalam felt similar to a doting father’s demise, leaving me mid-stream. His thoughts and guidance remain etched in my mind. I am honoured to have received the Pravasi Bharatiya Award by him when he was the President of India.
Abdul Kalam had visited the UAE in October 2003 when he was the Indian President and during that visit, he inaugurated the Neopharma Company at Abu Dhabi.

I still remember the time he inaugurated the Neopharma Company in Abu Dhabi. His initial plan was to spend about 10 minutes to cut the ribbon.

But he went on to spend about two and half hours. In fact he advised me to expand my operations beyond the region and go global.

Along with every Indian citizen, people of the world were also touched by his simple way of living – a life lived with Truth, Simplicity and Love.
 
Kamal Puri, Founder President, Skyline University College

“The loss of this Inspiring Individual creates a big vacuum in the World of Space Research.”
 
Bipin Pathak, CEO, Percept Gulf

Greatness led by example, humble and yet approachable, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's life story urges us to reach for the stars and to never settle for mediocrity.

We shouldn't mourn the demise but instead celebrate the life of Dr Kalam. Humble routes did not stop him from achieving greatness. A scientist, author, President, teacher, an inspiration.

Kulwant Singh, President Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) in the UAE

It is with profound sadness that I extend on behalf of the Indian Business and Professional Council, our sincere condolences to the Government and people of India for a great loss on the sad demise of former President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam on Monday, 27th July 2015 at Shillong.

A visionary leader and a brilliant scientist, Dr. Kalam’s numerous contribution to the advancement of science and technology was inimitable and immeasurable. His scholarly publications have opened new avenues for research and advance studies in the areas of aeronautics, ballistics, and metallurgy.  He will always serve as a true inspiration to us all.

 

 

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee pays his last respects at the body of  former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam at Palam Airforce Station in New Delhi. (AFP)

Indian consulate in Dubai held a condolence meeting today. (Supplied)

Indian consulate in Dubai held a condolence meeting today. (Supplied)

(Supplied)

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Students, staff and members of the faculty of the Indian Institute of Science pay a candle light tribute to former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Bangalore. (AFP)

Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh leaves after paying homage to former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at his house in New Delhi. (AFP)

Indian school children form a missile during a condolence ceremony for former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Agartala, the capital of northeastern state of Tripura. (AFP)

Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik gives tribute through his sand sculpture to India's former president and scientist, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (83) at Puri beach, some 65 kilometres from Bhubaneswar. (AFP)

The body of former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is transported from the airport to his house in New Delhi. (AFP)

India's flag is flown at half-mast at the Parliament House as a mark of respect for former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who died at the age of 83, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday. (AP)

India's former president and top scientist A. P. J. Kalam, who played a lead role in the country's nuclear weapons tests, died July 28, a hospital official said. He was 83. (AFP)

Indian school children pray during a condolence ceremony for former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Agartala, the capital of northeastern state of Tripura. (AFP)

Indian students pay tribute to the former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with a painting of the late statesman in Allahabad. (AFP)