Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

schinnas
BRFite
Posts: 1773
Joined: 11 Jun 2009 09:44

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by schinnas »

Two happenings in India destroyed two nation theory. One was 1971 liberation of Bangladesh. Second and probably more powerful was Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
SaiK
BRF Oldie
Posts: 36424
Joined: 29 Oct 2003 12:31
Location: NowHere

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by SaiK »

very nice raja ram.
very apt bharati poem for kalamji. i am sure he was influenced by it as well.
Sagar G
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2594
Joined: 22 Dec 2009 19:31
Location: Ghar

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Sagar G »

disha wrote:
Third, was an experience from the beauty of his humility. We were in a convoy of 6-7 cars. Dr. Kalam and I were in the second car. Ahead of us was an open gypsy with three soldiers in it. Two of them were sitting on either side and one lean guy was standing atop, holding his gun. One hour into the road journey, Dr. Kalam said, "Why is he standing? He will get tired. This is like punishment. Can you ask a wireless message to be given that he may sit?" I had to convince him, he has been probably instructed to keep standing for better security. He did not relent. We tried radio messaging, that did not work. For the next 1.5 hours of the journey, he reminded me thrice to see if I can hand signal him to sit down. Finally, realizing there is little we can do - he told me, "I want to meet him and thank him". Later, when we landed in IIM Shillong, I went inquiring through security people and got hold of the standing guy. I took him inside and Dr. Kalam greeted him. He shook his hand, said thank you buddy. "Are you tired? Would you like something to eat? I am sorry you had to stand so long because of me". The young lean guard, draped in black cloth, was surprised at the treatment. He lost words, just said, "Sir, aapke liye to 6 ghante bhi khade rahenge".
Words fail to express the feelings ...
Image
Dipanker
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3021
Joined: 14 May 2002 11:31

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Dipanker »

I am saddened by his demise as is the Indian nation, a truly great son of mother India.
Amber G.
BRF Oldie
Posts: 9263
Joined: 17 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Amber G. »

Chinese academic community pays rich tributes to APJ Abdul Kalam
"Kalam's death made us feel very very sad. We will remember him forever with tears in our eyes," said Professor Jiang Jingkui(Peking University which honoured Kalam as visiting professor)



"He is not simply a scientist of India but also for the entire world. People of China will remember him for long,"
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by ramana »

Shiv, You need to take a photo of the autograph he did for you on the WOF and 2020!
And recount the conversation you had with him in Bangalore.

RR, I think you cracked the core of why Agni was so named. Its from that poem.

The mission is exactly the same.


I re-read my copy of WOF.

Now need to re-read 2020.
I have Ignited Minds also.

One lesson I learnt from WOF is on gentle Project management.
KJo
BRF Oldie
Posts: 9926
Joined: 05 Oct 2010 02:54

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by KJo »

Why are we saying "RIP" (Rest in Peace)? There are hardly any people more Bharatiya than Dr Kalam, and we are following Western traditions here.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12060
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Vayutuvan »

KJo: you are touching on a sensitive issue, me thinks.
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by ramana »

Not to mention extraneous/non-germane to the thread.

People are paying respect in the language that they know.


World over RIP is said when speaking of the read.

Nothing Xian about it any longer.
Yayavar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4832
Joined: 06 Jun 2008 10:55

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Yayavar »

"..birth was incidental ...but passing away a history". Indeed. Thanks RR for your post.
KJo
BRF Oldie
Posts: 9926
Joined: 05 Oct 2010 02:54

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by KJo »

'Goodbyes should be short, really short': Kalam's advisor documents Missile Man's last moments

Hospital announcement.

Image


Shri Kalam Visiting Shri Krishna Temple, Udupi.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Khalsa
BRFite
Posts: 1769
Joined: 12 Nov 2000 12:31
Location: NZL

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Khalsa »

RIP Sir

you launched us off the planet. Your legacy shall never be forgotten.

You inspired us and will inspire us in the future.

Rest in Peace ... you were the gentlest , noblest and most determined of them all
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12060
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Vayutuvan »

KJo: Beautiful series of pictures. Is there a link? I would like to share them and any related story on my social networks.
shiv
BRF Oldie
Posts: 34982
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Pindliyon ka Gooda

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by shiv »

KJo wrote:Why are we saying "RIP" (Rest in Peace)? There are hardly any people more Bharatiya than Dr Kalam, and we are following Western traditions here.
:D I try not to say it. It suggests that peace comes after death esp if you get heaven, not hell. From the Hindu viewpoint, release from rebirth would be a desirable goal - but can't help being greedy about Kalam and asking him to come back.
SwamyG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 16265
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 09:22

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by SwamyG »

chandrasekaran wrote:Please watch this, preferably with your children - though this is in Tamil, has very nice sub-titles. Can assure that its one of the best 25 minutes you will spend. Striking simplicity and humility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY_oMRu-tIE
Great video showcasing a purushotam.
SwamyG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 16265
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 09:22

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by SwamyG »

KJo wrote:Why are we saying "RIP" (Rest in Peace)? There are hardly any people more Bharatiya than Dr Kalam, and we are following Western traditions here.
I don't like it too and had stopped saying a few years ago, but that is for the nukkad thread. Not here.
arshyam
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4570
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by arshyam »

^^ Agreed. Replied in Nukkad.
saumitra_j
BRFite
Posts: 377
Joined: 24 Dec 2005 17:13
Location: Pune, India

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by saumitra_j »

Farewell to one of India's greatest and most loved sons. Kalam sir, you will inspire Indians for ever!
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12060
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Vayutuvan »

shiv wrote:
KJo wrote:Why are we saying "RIP" (Rest in Peace)? There are hardly any people more Bharatiya than Dr Kalam, and we are following Western traditions here.
:D I try not to say it. It suggests that peace comes after death esp if you get heaven, not hell. From the Hindu viewpoint, release from rebirth would be a desirable goal - but can't help being greedy about Kalam and asking him to come back.
RIP == rereturn if possible to save us from adharma that is bubbling up from that festering suppurating and noisome boil called Pakistan on the face of dhartI mA.
Last edited by Vayutuvan on 30 Jul 2015 03:32, edited 1 time in total.
KJo
BRF Oldie
Posts: 9926
Joined: 05 Oct 2010 02:54

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by KJo »

vayu tuvan wrote:KJo: Beautiful series of pictures. Is there a link? I would like to share them and any related story on my social networks.
Saar, someone posted it on FB. I got the links for the individual pictures from there. Here they are:

Code: Select all

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11753290_884760758268555_4484337911247116995_n.jpg?oh=359bc2036892c4b70a425d1f7e15495e&oe=56511F7C

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11760111_884760878268543_3785441146678651692_n.jpg?oh=4cb6c239f7d4da3c0158f57b04e05e85&oe=5612389A

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/11813262_884760998268531_9202997430732517456_n.jpg?oh=eaa503f6fada33befb2246701ef00a8a&oe=5654B561

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11800180_884761054935192_5513997929375102787_n.jpg?oh=c556530b2720bfd13d828438cb8d5f24&oe=564BB01E

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11012894_884761088268522_2325677168943556135_n.jpg?oh=5dfa76ff971a518a87bf4361b89d1d2b&oe=563D5967

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11813424_884761288268502_2955083543033316023_n.jpg?oh=c818df1de10651524b3365a81c9f84ea&oe=564BE751
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Philip »

There are some superb tribrutes to APJAK in the media.I suggest that we archive them.
Here is a tribute from Mr.S.Gurumurthy.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/columns ... 945805.ece
Bomb on One Hand, Gita on Other
By S Gurumurthy
Published: 29th July 2015

We have often asked ourselves and others why India in its several thousand years of history has rarely tried to expand its territories or to assume a dominant role. Many of the experts and others with whom we had dialogue referred to some special features in the Indian psyche which could partly explain their greater tolerance, less discipline, the lack of sense of retaliation, more flexibility in accepting outsiders, greater adherence to hierarchy and emphasis on personal safety over adventure.”

This is what Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, with the co-author SY Rajan, wrote in the famous book “India Vision 2020 A Vision for the New Millennium” [1998]. Kalam had raised these profound issues that are sourced in our national confusion over couple of thousand years since Ashoka became the role model of India by giving up war altogether. Kalam is being profiled by his millions of admirers as a ‘People’s President, teacher, scientist, visionary, thinker, and patriot.’ He is certainly all these and more. He had bombs and missiles on the one hand with veena and Gita on the other. The huge bandwidth of the man brings out the complete philosopher-nationalist that he was. Dr Kalam introspected and posited for the nation critical issues which mirror the lessons our history has taught us but we have not learnt and still refuse to learn. Each of the issues raised by Kalam is profound. As we did not expand them, our territories contracted. As we were not disciplined, our tolerance was a mere vanity. Accepting outsiders at the cost of kinship has divided us. Preferring personal safety over adventures has made us victims of adventurists. How true Kalam was? Yet, there was, even now there is, no effort to reorient our education or national discourse on Kalam’s lines, even though he wrote his famous work in 1998. Even today, Kalam, the man, is being discussed — personally and anecdotally. But there is very little focus on what he said or envisioned for India. Encomiums are being paid to him as a visionary without discussing what his vision is. Kalam’s introspection should be the concern, even active enterprise, of the entire nation and its establishment — government, media, academia and intellectuals. Even now it is not too late. In the memory of Kalam, work on what he had envisioned for India can begin. But there can be no beginning unless there is honest introspection by Indians about the role and purpose of India.

Kalam’s Pokhran bomb and missiles have undoubtedly put India in a different league geopolitically and strategically. In his book Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy, Rajiv Sikri, India’s former foreign secretary recalled how despite Jawaharlal Nehru’s well-known but little publicised attempts to get closer to the US in the 1950s, India’s relations with the US remained at a low level for 50 years. According to Sikri, it was only after India became a nuclear weapons power in 1998 that the nature of India’s relationship with the US underwent a qualitative change and the US was jolted into taking India, and indeed the whole of South Asia, seriously from a security and geopolitical perspective. Pokhran-II coincided with India’s growing economic weight and the increasingly influential role of the Indian-American community in the US. Both factors added to India’s importance in US eyes. Kalam’s bomb showed what the West-centric world respects. Power. Nuclear weapons power is indeed fearsome. When the first atom bomb was exploded, its author Dr Robert Oppenheimer, a great admirer of Hindu spiritualism, quoted this verse in Bhagawad Gita to describe its power: “If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, That would be like the splendour of the Mighty One... I am become Death, The shatterer of Worlds.” And this is how the Gita-studying and veena-playing Dr Kalam described the Pokhran bomb in 1998. “I heard the earth thundering below our feet and rising ahead of us in terror. It was a beautiful sight. It was a triumph of Indian science and technology.” Power is indeed dangerous. But being without it is more dangerous. A democratic India, with 1/6th of humanity, humanistic philosophies of Sankara, Buddha and Gandhi and no record of invading others, high tolerance and flexibility in accepting outsiders was not respected. It was actually trivialised. See the contrast. In the 1970s, Henry Kissinger waited in Beijing for days for authoritarian China, which had 30 million people dying of hunger and was deep in poverty to agree to meet him! Why? A hungry and poor China had hundreds of nuclear warheads. That the world respects power is what the world has taught India — which is eight out of 10 populated by Hindus whom Mahatma Gandhi had described as “gentlest” of people on the earth.

The geopolitical stature of India which started to rise with Pokhran has been on the escalator ever thereafter. The National Intelligence Council attached to the Central Intelligence Agency [US] reported [Dec 2012] that India will be among the three world powers in 2030 along with the US and China. But for Kalam’s bomb and missiles India would never have been seen as a candidate for a global power. Japan has trillions of dollars of assets. But that does not make it a world power. Power is comprehensive. Mere economic power is no power. Merely being an economic power without being a military power will invite invasions, like India did. We were the leaders of the world economy for 1,700 years, according to Angus Maddison who studied the world economic history on behalf of the OECD nations. But our wealth only invited invasions of barbaric peoples. We were conquered because we had no sense of the importance of power. We even detested power as uncivilised.

The national confusion about, even bias against, military power, started with Ashoka giving up wars after he was shocked by the scale of destruction in the Kalinga war. Ashoka, after the Kalinga war, was in the same state for mind as Arjuna was before the Kurukshetra war. One cried after the war, and the other, before the war. But Sri Krishna with Bhagawad Gita cleared the confusion of Arjuna and made him a warrior. But Ashoka did not have the benefit of a Krishna to clear his confusion. And his confusion became our national pride. We paid the price for that high-cost pride with invasions and destruction of India. Kalam’s Pokhran explosion cleared the confusion and transformed India into a global power, though it is yet to be internalised by our elites and intellectuals. The Economist magazine [March 30, 2013] in its cover story asking “Can India become a great power?” answered it at the end of its editorial: “That India can become a great power is not in doubt. The real question is whether it wants to be.” This is what the nationalist-philosopher Dr A P J Abdul Kalam wanted this nation of 1.25 billion to say in once voice: “yes we want to be”. Instituting an in-depth study of our history to learn and internalise the lessons from it is the greatest tribute to this great man.

(The author is a chartered accountant and a leading columnist)
3 tributes in the Ind. Exp.Same link.
Bomb on One Hand, Gita on Other
Left Us Reminding He Had More to Say
Kalam Garu Taught Us to Dream Big
SaiK
BRF Oldie
Posts: 36424
Joined: 29 Oct 2003 12:31
Location: NowHere

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by SaiK »

ramana, shiv.. you owe us rakshaks to trigger from your ignited minds.
RCase
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2249
Joined: 02 Sep 2011 22:50
Location: Awaiting the sabbath of Fry djinns

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by RCase »

A life well lived! A simple, humble son of India who managed to endear himself to the hearts of so many millions of people. I had the fortune of hearing one of his speeches. The venue was jam packed.

What a contrast to the vainglorious, megalomaniac politicians and 'leaders' that come and go, that this diminutive man with silver locks and an impish smile towers over! He had truly ignited the minds of the kids and youth of India to dream big.

My head bows to this great son of India, President, dreamer, leader, scientist, teacher, inspirer-in-chief.
RCase
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2249
Joined: 02 Sep 2011 22:50
Location: Awaiting the sabbath of Fry djinns

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by RCase »

chandrasekaran wrote:Please watch this, preferably with your children - though this is in Tamil, has very nice sub-titles. Can assure that its one of the best 25 minutes you will spend. Striking simplicity and humility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY_oMRu-tIE
Thank you for posting the link to this video. Just amazed at the ease with which he connects with the children. Interesting to note how he went to Sivananda ashram in Rishikesh and drew inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita.
member_26011
BRFite
Posts: 119
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by member_26011 »

Jai Hind, Kalam Saab. May God give you eternal peace as you journey beyond. The eternal gratitude and love of our people will be with you for all time.
VishalJ
BRFite
Posts: 1034
Joined: 12 Feb 2009 06:40
Location: Mumbai
Contact:

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by VishalJ »

The perfect juxtaposition :evil:
India Today: As nation mourns Kalam, Pratibha Patil demands car seva
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/prat ... 54724.html
RIP Sir, Respect
MN Kumar
BRFite
Posts: 393
Joined: 27 Jan 2002 12:31

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by MN Kumar »

Always felt overwhelmed by the humility shown by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. I would like to call him as a "Kaarana Janmudu" (One who is born for a specific purpose). He has performed his karma and definitely attained moksha.

Koti Koti Pranam...
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Philip »

Pratibha,who allegedly took away her huge possessions from RBhavan in several lorries,while APJAJ just left behind his boxes of books!
Gus
BRF Oldie
Posts: 8220
Joined: 07 May 2005 02:30

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Gus »

Rest in peace can be loosely interpreted as soul attaining moksha. i just leave it at that when I don't feel inclined to write a full eulogy.
arshyam
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4570
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by arshyam »

Apologies if already posted.

Kalam's vision for nation was anchored in freedom and strength - Narendra Modi, writing in the Hindustan Times
BHARAT has lost a Ratna, but the light from this jewel will guide us towards APJ Abdul Kalam's dream-destination: India as a knowledge superpower, in the first rank of nations. Our scientist-President -and one who was genuinely loved and admired across the masses - never measured success by material possessions. For him, the counterpoint to poverty was the wealth of knowledge, in both its scientific and spiritual manifestations. As a hero of our defence programme, he shifted horizons; and as a seer of the spirit, he sought to liberate doctrine from the narrow confines of partisan tension to the transcendental space of harmony.

Every great life is a prism, and we bathe in those rays that find their way to us. His profound idealism was secure because it rested on a foundation of realism. Every child of deprivation is a realist. Poverty does not encourage illusions. Poverty is a terrible inheritance; a child can be defeated even before he or she has begun to dream. But Kalamji refused to be defeated by circumstances. As a boy, he had to support his studies by earning money as a newspaper vendor; today, page after page of the same newspapers are filled with his obituary notices. He said that he would not be presumptuous enough to say that his life could be a role model for anybody; but if some poor child living in an obscure and underprivileged social setting found some solace in the way his destiny had been shaped, it could perhaps help such children liberate themselves from the bondage of illusory backwardness and helplessness. He is my marg darshak, as well as that of every such child.

His character, commitment and inspirational vision shine through his life. He was unencumbered by ego; flattery left him cold. He was equally at ease before an audience of suave, globe-trotting ministers and a class of young students. The first thing that struck one about him was that, uniquely, he combined the honesty of a child with the energy of a teenager and the maturity of an adult. He took little from the world, and gave all he could to society. A man of deep faith, he epitomised the three great virtues of our civilization: dama, self-restraint; dana, sacrifice; and daya, compassion.

But this persona was powered by the fire of endeavour. His vision for the nation was anchored in freedom, development and strength. Given our history, freedom had a political context of course; but it also included freedom of the mind and expansion of intellectual space. He wanted India to leap out of the under-developed trough, and eliminate the curse of poverty through inclusive economic growth. Wisely, he suggested that politicians spend only 30% of their time on politics, and 70% on development; a suggestion which he often followed up by calling in MPs from a state and discussing the socio-economic issues of their region with them. The third pillar, strength, was not born of aggression, but of understanding. An insecure nation will rarely discover the route to prosperity. Strength commands respect. His contributions in our nuclear and space achievements have given India the muscle to be confident of her place in the region and the world.

His memory is best honoured by the creation of new institutions that nurture science and technology, and enable us to find a beneficial equation with the awesome power of nature. Too often, greed makes us predators of our environment. Kalamji saw poetry in a tree, and energy that could be harnessed in water, wind and sun. We should learn to look at our world through his eyes, and with the same missionary zeal.

Human beings can shape their lives through will, persistence, ability and sheer courage. But we have not been given the right to script where we are born, or how and when we die. However, if Kalamji had been offered an option, this is how he would perhaps have chosen to say goodbye: on his feet, and in front of a classroom of his beloved students. As a bachelor, he was childless. But that is wrong. He was a father to every Indian child, teaching, cajoling, urging, exciting, clearing darkness wherever he found it with the radiance of his vision and the passion of his involvement. He saw the future, and showed the way. As I entered the room where his body lay in state, I noticed the painting at the entrance that depicted a few lines from an inspirational book he wrote for children, Ignited Minds. The good that he did will not be interred with his bones, because his children will preserve his memory through their lives and work, and gift it to their children.
arshyam
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4570
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by arshyam »

Kalam's mortal remains reach Rameswaram - The Hindu
The mortal remains of former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who died in Shillong on Monday, was brought to the open ground in front of the bus stand in Rameswaram for the public to pay homage.

Official sources said the body would be kept in the ground till 8 p.m. for the public to pay homage. Later, the mortal remains would be handed over to the family members, who would keep it overnight at ‘House of Kalam’.

After prayers at the nearby mosque, the body would be taken in a procession to the funeral site at Pei Karumbu on Thursday morning for the funeral with full state honours, official sources said.

Earlier, a Ministerial team, led by State Finance Minister O Panneerselvam received the body at the Mandapam helipad at 2: 30 p.m, when it was brought in a military helicopter from Madurai Airport.

Later, it was brought by road to the open ground at 3:40 p.m. Kalam’s close aide and senior scientist Ponraj and other family members accompanied the body in the chopper. Officials and Union Ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu, Manohar Parikar and Pon Radhakrishnan came in two separate choppers from Madurai.

After receiving the body along with Collector K Nanthakumar and Superintendent of police N.M. Mylvahanan at the helipad, the Ministers – O Panneerselvam, Natham Viswanathan, Edpadi Palanisamy, R Vaithilingam, Dr S Sundararaj and R B Udayakumar drove down to the open ground and paid floral tributes.

District Collector L. Subramanian, Minister for Cooperation Sellur K. Raju, Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa and Corporation Commissioner C. Kathiravan were among those present at the airport and paid their respects.

Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Mr. Parrikar and senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain were present at the airport, when the plane took off from New Delhi.

Wrapped in the tri-colour, Kalam’s body was taken to the airport in a gun carriage from his 10 Rajaji Marg residence at 7 a.m., as officials and commoners bid farewell to the man, whose life inspired countless Indians.

Mr. Naidu and Mr. Parrikar are accompanying the mortal remains of Kalam to Rameswaram. Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan, who is from Tamil Nadu, will also join the two Union ministers.

People gather in large numbers at Kalam's Rameswaram house

A large number of people have gathered at former president A.P.J.Abdul Kalam’s house at Rameswaram to pay their last respects, a relative said on Wednesday.

“People in large numbers have assembled at Kalam’s house to pay their last respects,” A.P.J.M.K. Sheik Saleem, the former president’s brother’s grandson told IANS over the phone.

“All our relatives have also come to attend the last rites,” he added.

Modi to attend Kalam's funeral

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the last rites of Kalam in Rameswaram on Thursday.

The Prime Minister will arrive early in the morning and attend the rituals at around 11 am, sources said.

Speaking to reporters Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said some chief ministers are also expected to attend the last rites.

From Mandapam

Sundar Subbiah reports from Rameswaram

Tri-services personnel are present at helipad in Mandapam, where the mortal remains of Kalam will be received. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will be receiving the body at the Mandapam Helipad.

Kalam's body will be kept at an open ground near Rameswaram bus stand for public viewing. Public can pay homage till 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

MDMK chief Vaiko and Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Tamilisai Soundarrajan are at the Mandapam Helipad to pay their respects to Kalam.

Meanwhile, S. Nagore Roja, grand niece of Dr. Kalam, has expressed concerns over the lack of generator facility in the decorated vehicle that was to carry Kalam's mortal remains.

Ramanathapurm Collector Nanthakumar has promised to make arrangements for the same.

TN declares public holiday on Thursday

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday said she won’t attend the funeral of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram on Thursday owing to “health condition”.

“I have great affection and respect for Abdul Kalam. I would like to attend his funeral and pay my respects to him. However, owing to my health condition I am not in a position to travel,” she said

As a mark of respect for Kalam, Thursday would be a public holiday in Tamil Nadu. State Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said following a request from Kalam’s family, government land had been allotted for burying the mortal remains of the former president.

Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam, Electricity Minister Natham R. Viswanathan, Housing Minister R. Vaithilingam and several other ministers will attend the funeral on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government.

The district administration of Rameswaram has selected three places for the funeral and would finalise a place after consulting A. P. J. M. Maraikayar, elder brother of Mr. Kalam and other family members, official sources said.

Three places – a government land at Meyyampuli, near Thangachimadam; a forest land at Natarajapuram near Danushkodi; and a private land of Abil Kabil Dargah have been shortlisted, the sources said.

Kalam’s Twitter account renamed ‘In memory of Dr Kalam’

Although former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is no more, his Twitter account will continue to be active in a new form.

A team of his close associates has decided to run his official Twitter account, which has now been renamed as ‘In memory of Dr Kalam’. Kalam’s close aide Srijan Pal Singh will act as the administrator of this Twitter account.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12060
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Vayutuvan »

KJo: Thanks for the links. I will spread in my circles.
SwamyG
BRF Oldie
Posts: 16265
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 09:22

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by SwamyG »

In the link posted by chandrasekaran, Kalam uses two words compartively - sandhosham (happiness) and anandam(supreme happines or bliss). Beautiful and profound exhibition of a brilliant individual.
KJo
BRF Oldie
Posts: 9926
Joined: 05 Oct 2010 02:54

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by KJo »

TN declares a holiday?
That is precisely what Dr Kalam would NOT have wanted. Why are we looking for reasons not to work?
My friend is CEO in a BLR company and he and his people voluntarily worked extra hours in Dr Kalam's honor.
SaiK
BRF Oldie
Posts: 36424
Joined: 29 Oct 2003 12:31
Location: NowHere

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by SaiK »

SwamyG wrote:
chandrasekaran wrote:Please watch this, preferably with your children - though this is in Tamil, has very nice sub-titles. Can assure that its one of the best 25 minutes you will spend. Striking simplicity and humility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY_oMRu-tIE
Great video showcasing a purushotam.
great questions by the kids, and fantastic answers.. except for the first kid who got a smack for asking political question.. and he too gets what he should focus on!

santosham (happiness) - when missile-composites delivered agni to space
anandham (bliss) - when the same/similar composite reduced the weight of artificial leg for a kid (3kg -> 300gms).

very practical.. and his enlightenment at rishikesh from swami sivananda - defeat the defeatist minds
... and those who don't listen here, will be boxed!
Multatuli
BRFite
Posts: 612
Joined: 06 Feb 2007 06:29
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Multatuli »

MN Kumar wrote:

I would like to call him as a "Kaarana Janmudu" (One who is born for a specific purpose).
Yes, looking at how he lived his life, not just the things he achieved but the principles he lived by, his pursuit of truth and working for the common good, not caring about status, material possessions and such.

His life is a source of inspiration, an example to follow.
Sachin
Webmaster BR
Posts: 8963
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Undisclosed

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Sachin »

Condelences... Is there a video available which shows the "military aspect" of the funeral accorded to our popular President? If possible without the dialogues of various news anchors?
arshyam
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4570
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by arshyam »

Dinamalar, the Tamil daily, has a set of 92 pics of Sri Kalam's funeral. You can see it here: http://www.dinamalar.com/kalam.asp



Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
arshyam
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4570
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by arshyam »

And a few more:

Image

Image

Image

Image

All image credits to Dinamalar: http://www.dinamalar.com/kalam.asp
Gus
BRF Oldie
Posts: 8220
Joined: 07 May 2005 02:30

Re: Abdul Kalam passes away Oct 15, 1931 - July 27, 2015

Post by Gus »

People need to cut off money to ELM and send money to regional papers in form of subscription, net traffic and social media shares.
Locked