Chennai: It was his simplicity and extensive knowledge that made him an extraordinary personality. Former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, regarded as the father of the Indian missile programme, had a spectacular journey to the Rashtrapati Bhavan starting from Rameswaramin southern Tamil Nadu.
This towering scientist, rose from an ordinary family to occupy the highest constitutional post in the country and also the hearts of the people, says Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP state president whose party endorsed his candidature for the President's post.
This unparalled defence scientist was also a voracious reader, vegetarian and a teetotaller. The Government of India honoured him with the nation's highest civilian honours: the Padma Bhushan in 1981; Padma Vibhushan in 1990; and Bharat Ratna in 1997 for his work with Isro and DRDO and his role as a Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
“I was born in the year 1931. When I was about eight, World War II broke out. Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, and despite the Indian Congress's opposition, India too, as a British colony, was involved in the war. India's war effort saw a record number of Indian soldiers being deployed in various war zones around the world. Daily life, however, remained fairly unaffected initially, particularly for us in the southern tip of the country. As I have mentioned, Rameswaram in the 1940s was a sleepy little town that came alive with the arrival of pilgrims. The inhabitants were mostly trades people or small businessmen,” he had written in his autobiography. He had led an exemplary life serving as inspiration to the younger generations and to many and had risen above caste, creed or religion, said Dr. Tamilisai.
"It is a big loss to the 120 crore Indians. His service extends to the medical field too. He had been instrumental in ensuring development in artificial limbs," she added.
"He was a Tamil who spread Tiruvalluvar's Thirukkural and Bhagavad Gita at national level. It is unfortunate that destiny snatched him away from seeing a glorious India that he had always dreamed of," according to Union minister of state for road transport, infrastructure and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan.
