Rameswaram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lead the nation in commemorating India's most loved President as the family of the late Dr Abdul Kalam has planned a commemoration week highlighting the various facets of the missile scientist-humanist-inspirer at hometown here observing his second death anniversary on July 27.
Prime Minister Modi is most likely to arrive at this temple town to preside over the valedictory session that day, with his senior Cabinet colleagues including Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley, besides several dignitaries from various fields.
The commemoration week begins on July 20. The Kalam family has lined up over 100 events, each of them a special one marking a unique and positive feature of the man who had spent his entire life in the service of the country.
"Most of the events are centred around the children and youth, whom Dr Kalam had not only loved very dearly but in whom he had bestowed huge trust to lead India into great future", said Muthu Meera Maraikayar, Kalam's elder brother aged 102. He is the patriarch of the large family who lives in the modest ancestral home by the sea, which also houses a few of Dr Kalam's books, writings and mementoes.
Kerala Governor Justice Sathasivam, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, ISRO Chairman Dr Kiran Kumar Reddy and ISRO Director Dr Mailsamy Annadurai, besides the Governor and Chief Justice of Tripura have confirmed participation in different sessions during the Kalam week.
"This is a week to recall all the many great facets of this unique man. We are expecting a large participation from the student community and of course, we are hoping that our Prime Minister will preside over the grand finale", said Abdul Ghani, the Green Man of India and one of Kalam's favourite disciples."All our family members spread across the world are gathering here. We are eagerly looking forward to this week", said Sheik Saleem, Kalam's grandson.
