Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led the state in paying respect to Kalam at the Lokapriya Gopinath Borodoloi International Airport in Guwahati, calling Kalam's death an "irreparable loss" to the nation.

"It is an irreparable loss to the nation. He loved children, he loved the nation. I have met him many times. I took him to rural areas of Assam. He was a very simple and honest man. Along with India, entire state is mourning his death," Gogoi said.

Kalam was one of the most popular faces of the country and he was "young in spirit till his last moment", he said.