Rameswaram: Stating that the ‘Karmayogi’ A.P.J. Abdul Kalam memorial at Rameswaram is a fitting example of federal cooperation between the Centre and states, the Minister of urban development, housing & poverty alleviation, Venkaiah Naidu thanked the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for giving land to build the memorial.
Besides allotting land for the Kalam memorial, CM Jayalalithaa has also assured that whatever needs to be done for a befitting memorial would be rendered by the state, he said while addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone for the Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial at Pei Karumbu in Rameswaram Wednesday.
Pointing out that the vision of PM Narendra Modi is federal co-operation where the Centre and states work in harmony, Naidu observed that this memorial is an example of this vision where the Union and the states are working together to build a fitting memorial to Kalam.
"We are to build a 53-room guest house here in Rameswaram to facilitate visitors to this historic place. It will be called the APJ Abdul Kalam holiday home," he said adding that the state government had agreed to provide land for it.
Observing that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully committed in fulfilling the vision of 'Karmayogi Abdul Kalam, Naidu said," After advancing the cause of defence might of our country so successfully, Kalam was equally passionate about our country emerging as a leading economic power. He used to say that 'strong and developed nations will take us seriously, only we become strong economically too'.
Following his vision, PM Modi has been striving hard to make India an economically strong nation. "While Kalam, a Karmayogi, was associated with Rameswaram, another Karmayogi Narendra Modi, our Prime Minister represents Kasi (Varanasi) in the Lok Sabha."
Reiterating the importance of building a memorial for Dr Kalam, Naidu said that the memorial besides being a symbol of our collective gratitude to such people for what they have done for us, it is also like a temple or a mosque or a church for the present and future generations to remember, that is the Indian system and culture," .
This memorial will be a grand monument to perpetuate the memory of Kalam who lived not for himself but for the entire nation, he observed. Terming Kalam's dedication and contribution to the development of India as a true definition of nationalism, Naidu said "Unfortunately, this word 'nationalism' is sought to be distorted and even ridiculed by some these days. I am confident that such people would be the eventual losers," he said.
Naidu expressed the confidence that DRAO which has taken charge of constructing the memorial, auditorium, planetarium and library would complete the project before the second Kalam memorial day so that people from across the globe can learn the ideas of Kalam and also use the facilities here. The Defence minister Manohar Parrikar also reiterated that PM Narendra Modi is working hard to implement Kalam's vision 2020 for the development of the country.
Earlier, Venkaiah Naidu, Manohar Parrikar, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, AIADMK Ministers M Manikandan and Nilofer Kafeel and Ramanathapuram MP Anwhar Raajhaa unveiled the statue of Abdul Kalam and also inaugurated the exhibition. The ministers also paid homage at his memorial.
