Rameswaram: In a spontaneous outpouring of grief, thousands of people bid an emotional farewell to former President APJ Abdul Kalam who was today laid to rest with full state honours in his home town here amid chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".
The body of Kalam was buried in the middle of a 1.5 acre piece of land earmarked for the purpose at Peikarumbu here after being brought from his family mosque where special prayers were offered.
The "People's President" was accorded full military honours, including gun salute and playing of the Last Post as the members of his family and local Jamath lowered his mortal
remains into a trench as slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" rent the air.
Highlights
* Former President APJ Abdul Kalam buried
* APJ Abdul Kalam laid to rest
* Kerala CM Oomen Chandy and Kerala Governor P Sathasivam pay homage to Dr Kalam
* Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi pays homage to APJ Abdul Kalam
* Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu pays floral tribute to APJ Abdul Kalam
* PM Modi meets family members of APJ Abdul Kalam
* PM Modi pays his last respect to mortal remains of APJ Abdul Kalam
* APJ Abdul Kalam's body kept at burial site for prayers
* PM Modi at burial ground
* Mortal remains of APJ Abdul Kalam taken to burial ground
* Three Service Chiefs, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar present at burial ground
* Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Rameswaram
* Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and a host of other dignitaries, including and chief ministers of some states reach Rameswaram
* At the mosque, the Aalin or the chief priest read out special prayer and speak about the former president, who grew up from this island
* Mortal remains of Kalam taken from house around 9.30 AM to the mosque by the personnel of three services with the casket covered with traditional green shawl
83-year-old Kalam passed away on Monday while delivering lecture at IIM, Shillong
The body of the "Missile Man" was brought to his house on the narrow Pallivasal Street around 10 PM last night after lying in state and left in the privacy of his family till this morning.
Thousands of mourners kept pouring through the night by various transport including buses, trains and boats to attend the last rites and many of them even slept on the roads last night.
Shops, business establishments and hotels remained shut in the town and throughout Tamil Nadu as a mark of respect to the late leader fondly called the "People's President".
Police said tight security arrangements have been made in and around the town and Navy, Coast Guard and marine police personnel deployed in the sea.
Tamil Nadu Government has declared a public holiday today as a mark of respect to Kalam.
Several people were seen holding the national tri-colour as they waited in the jam-packed streets around Kalam's house to have a last glimpse of their hero. Many were perched on the terraces of buildings.
The burial will be at Peikarumbu here where about 1.5 acre had been allocated for the purpose.
Slogans of "Bharat Mata ki jai" rent the air as the body was taken in flower-bedecked carriage to the burial site, about 3.5 km from the mosque, accompanied by the personnel of three services.
Kalam's family members, including his eldest sister 99-year-old Mohammed Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraicker accompanied the body.
Latest India News
