Former president APJ Abdul Kalam was on Thursday laid to rest with full military honours at his hometown Rameswaram. The mortal remains of the former president, who died on Monday, were taken from his ancestral house to the local mosque ahead of the funeral.
More than one lakh people from all age groups had gathered in the island town to pay last respects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and a host of other dignitaries, including chief ministers of some states, attended the last rites.
The body of 83-year-old Kalam, who passed away in Shillong on Monday, was taken from the house around 9.30 AM to the mosque by the personnel of three services with the casket covered with traditional green shawl.
The body of the “Missile Man” was brought to his house on the narrow Pallivasal Street around 10 PM on Wednesday night and was left in the privacy of his family till Thursday morning.
Thousands of mourners kept pouring through the night by various transport including buses, trains and boats to attend the last rites. Several even slept on the roads on Wednesday night to be able to be a part of his final journey.
Shops, business establishments and hotels remained shut in the town and throughout Tamil Nadu as a mark of respect to the late leader fondly called the “People’s President”.
Police said tight security arrangements have been made in and around the town and Navy, Coast Guard and marine police personnel deployed in the sea. Tamil Nadu Government has declared a public holiday on Thursday as a mark of respect to Kalam.
