The rituals at the burial site as per the Islamic practice will continue and the ‘seventh day observances’
Former President of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. (Photo: PTI/ File)
Rameswaram: As people continue to throng the Peikarumbu ground venue here, where the former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was finally laid to rest on Thursday, people’s voices for an early memorial for the departed soul are also rising.
Round-the-clock security under the leadership of Rameswaram Deputy superintendent of police P Muthuramalingam is in place at the burial spot, fenced by medians, while more and more people come to pay their homage.
“Already, the number of people visiting the burial place is rapidly increasing and it will only be a fitting tribute to Dr Kalam if the government took early steps to build a memorial for him at this venue, just as it was done to other national leaders and people’s icons including Anna, Kamaraj and M.G. Ramachandran,” said Karathe Palanisamy of Rameswaram. “It will also help to regulate the crowds just as Dr Kalam being interred in his birth place has enhanced Rameswaram’s status,” he further said, adding, a small museum at the spot would also enable visitors get a glimpse of Kalam’s achievements.
Overwhelmed by the sea of humanity, from all walks of life and cutting across caste, creed and religion, bidding a tearful farewell on Thursday in a peaceful and restrained manner, the late Kalam’s grandson, Saleem said, “it is a great consolation for us,” despite the loss on his passing away being irreparable to their family. “But people in such large numbers mourning as though they have lost an elder son in their respective families truly humbles us,” Saleem acknowledged on Friday.
The rituals at the burial site as per the Islamic practice will continue and the ‘seventh day observances’ would take place on Saturday evening at 6 pm, Saleem said.
After first offering prayers at the interred spot with incense sticks and performing the “Dhuva”, there will be recitations from the holy text at Kalam’s house on Saturday, he added.
On Kalam burial day, fewer emergency calls made in city
The mourning for former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was so much in Chennai that the state capital recorded a massive dip in emergency calls on Thursday due to deserted roads and closed shops.
Road traffic accidents and assault cases were minimal and it was a recent all time low registered by the 108 ambulance emergency services.
According to regional manager of GVK EMRI, Prabhu Das, the helpline received only 2,195 calls making it a new low when compared to the regular days when around 2,500 calls are received.
Usually during holidays, the number of emergency calls increases. We have recorded increase in emergency calls during election and bandh days. But Thursday was a relatively better day for our call centre employees.
“This figure of 2,195 calls was previously recorded in May 2013. Over the past two years the number emergency calls during holidays and weekends had only surged. My hunch is that the motorists remained indoors mourning for Kalam,” he said.
As per the records, the maximum number of emergency calls received during holidays is around 2,800 and last Deepavali this number surged to 3,143 calls. Besides accident cases, the number of distress calls related to assaults were also less on Thursday, noted Mr Das.
Similarly Thursday received 58 assault cases against the regular estimate ranging up to 70 cases. In general, the number of emergency calls dipped by over 20 per cent,” he added.
“Even though it was a holiday, we did not go out or enjoy. We watched his funeral ceremony on television and mourned his loss. He was an inspiration for us and for all students and like most of the youngsters would have remained indoors,” said G. Preethi a resident at Ekkaduthangal.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
