New Delhi: Mortal remains of former President APJ Abdul Kalam has reached Rameswaram in a special IAF helicopter.
Earlier, the special aircraft carrying Kalam's mortal remains took off from the Palam airport in New Delhi at around 08:15 AM after all three forces gave a sendoff to the former head of the state.
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain were present at the airport.
The IAF aircraft first reached the Madurai airport, from where the mortal remains were flown in to Rameswaram by an IAF helicopter.
Wrapped in a tri-colour, Kalam's body was taken to the airport in a gun carriage from his 10 Rajaji Marg residence here at 7 AM, as officials and commoners bid farewell to the man, whose life inspired countless Indians.
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Naidu and Parrikar are accompanying the mortal remains of Kalam to Rameswaram. Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan, who is from Tamil Nadu will also join the two Union ministers.
The funeral of the former President will be held in Rameswaram, his birth place in Tamil Nadu, on Thursday with full military honours.
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A seven-day state mourning has been declared by the government in honour of Kalam.
