The body of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who died on Monday after he suffered a massive cardiac arrest and collapsed during his lecture at the IIM, is being brought to Delhi on Tuesday where the last respects will be paid to the 11th President of India.
Last respects were paid to the late former President at the tarmac of the airport after his body was brought to Guwahati from Shillong by an Air Force helicopter. Several leaders including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and senior IAF officials joined in paying tribute here to India’s ‘Missile Man’.
Wrapped in tricolour, the casket carrying his body was taken inside the aircraft as mournful hymn played in the background.
A Bharat Ratna and who was also called ‘missile man’ was popular as ‘People’s President’. Kalam, who would have turned 84 in October, was confirmed dead nearly an hour after he was wheeled into the ICU of Bethany hospital in a critical condition following the collapse at around 6.30 PM.
Arriving at the Indian Institute of Management(IIM) around 5.40 PM, Kalam took rest for sometime and started the lecture on ‘Livable Planet’ at 6.35 pm. He collapsed five minutes later, according to Director, IIM-Shillong, Prof De. Kalam last tweeted “Going to Shillong to take course on livable planet at IIM.”
He was admitted to the Bethany hospital at 7 PM, a km away from the institute but he no signs of life when he was brought to the hospital. Dr A M Kharbamon, a specialist who attended to Kalam after he was brought to the hospital, said he was declared dead at 7:45 pm.
His body was taken to the Military Hospital where it was kept for the night and was flown to Guwahati by an Air Force helicopter early on Tuesday morning.
Considered the most popular President, Kalam became the 11th head of the state and occupied the post between 2002 and 2007 but lack of consensus denied a second term in office for a man who came from outside the rough and tumble of politics.
Leaders cutting across the political spectrum paid glowing tributes to Kalam with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing him as a “people’s President” and an “inspirational leader” who dedicated his entire life to the nation.
A seven-day national mourning has been declared by the Centre and both Houses of Parliament are likely to make obituary references and adjourn as a mark of respect to his memory.
The Union Cabinet will meet in New Delhi on Tuesday to condole Kalam’s death and adopt a resolution hailing his services to the nation.
