We have lost a great son of India: Leaders condole Kalam's death

Leaders cutting across the political spectrum on Monday night paid glowing tributes to former President A P J Abdul Kalam with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing him as a "people's President" and an "inspirational leader" who dedicated his entire life to the nation.

As the news of Kalam broke, condolences and tributes poured in from all corners of the country, reflecting the huge popularity he enjoyed both in and out of the highest office of the country that earned him the sobriquet of the "people's President."

Mukherjee, in a condolence message, said that "in Kalam's passing away, we have lost a great son of India who dedicated his entire life for the welfare of the motherland and its people.

"Dr Kalam was a people's President during his lifetime and will remain so even after his death," he said. He said Kalam will be remembered for his passion for science and innovations and his contributions as an eminent scientist, administrator, educationist and writer.

His achievements as leader of India's defence research vastly enhanced the safety and security of of the nation, Mukherjee said.

Modi said that in Kalam's death he has lost a "marg darshak" (guide) who was a source of inspiration for the entire country, particularly for the youth.

Recalling Kalam's immense contribution in the field of science and technology, particularly space science, Modi said "India mourns the loss of a great scientist, a wonderful President & above all an inspiring individual."

"In my personal life, he was a fine and senior guide (marg darshak). I got an opportunity to work very closely to him. In my personal life, I have lost a best guide. The country has lost a son who worked to make country a strong nation. He gave his every moment to make India's youth strong and self-reliant," he said.

Describing Kalam as "one of the greatest scientific minds, a scholar statesman and a true patriot who inspired millions of young and old alike by his works and deeds, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said his "contribution to our polity will remain unparalleled."

"Kalam inspired millions in the country and abroad and he even breathed his last while infusing a new zeal to young Indians in the course of his last address to Indian Institute of Management students. The Indian National Congress stands with the entire nation in  condoling Dr Kalam's death," Gandhi said.

Expressing grief at Kalam's death, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi termed him as "a man of many parts-he won over the hearts and minds of a nation with his warmth and wisdom."

Noted NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul described Kalam as an "inspiring figure" and a "great humanitarian". Expressing his condolences, Lord Paul, Chairman of Caparo Group, the Britain-based diversified conglomerate, also described Kalam as a "great President" and a hugely popular leader.

Union Human Resources Development minister Smriti Irani also condoled the death of Kalam. In her message she said," A man who has ignited minds, gladdened hearts and steered the nation to glory; with profound grief my 'shraddhanjali'."

Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury also expressed grief over the death. "It is a big loss to the country," he said.

Communist Party of India national secretary D Raja said that Kalam has left behind a life worth emulating.

"Born in a fisherman's family, he lived through poverty and worked during his school and college days to become an outstanding aeronautical scientist and later the President of India. His life will be an inspiration for all the Indian people, particularly the younger generation," he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the death of former President A P J Abdul Kalam and said she shared a special bond with him.

"Very, very sad news. I had a special bond with Kalam'ji. He was one of India's favourite sons and one of my favourite people. A very sad day," Banerjee said in a tweet from the United Kingdom where she was on a five-day visit.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also condoled the death.

In his condolence message, Yadav described Abdul Kalam as a true Indian and said that the country has lost great personality in his death.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar termed the death of former President A P J Abdul Kalam as a personal loss.

"This is a personal loss for me. Dr Kalam was a great scientist and eminent social worker. On my request, he had come to Bihar on a number of occasions and guided the development of the state," he said.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik also condoled the death of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch L K Advani also condoled the death of the former president and said,"The news of the sudden demise of A P J Abdul Kalam, India's beloved former President, has left me in a state of shock and sorrow."

"I had known Dr Kalam very closely during, and also after, the six-year rule of the NDA when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. He graciously released my autobiography in 2008," Advani said.

"He served Mother India literally until the last breath of his life. He was truly a karma yogi par excellence. I always regarded Dr Kalam as the best exemplar of the Idea of India, one who embodied the best of all the cultural and spiritual traditions that signify India's unity in immense diversity.

"This was most strikingly evident in the last book he wrote, presciently titled 'Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swami'. I was present at the launch function of this book at Akshardham in New Delhi," he said.

His belief that India would become a Developed Nation by 2020 inspired millions of Indians, Advani said. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also expressed grief over the death.

"I am pained to learn about Dr Kalam's sad demise. He was one of the favorite Presidents of India whose personality was so amiable that he was liked by each one of us. The missile man of India, after relinquishing the charge of President of India, had relentlessly taught science to the youth of our country.

"It is indeed difficult to believe that he is no more among us," she said.

Terming A P J Abdul Kalam as a 'karma yogi', Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the former President lived his entire life for the country.

Condoling the demise of Kalam, Patnaik in a statement said, "I am deeply shocked at the sad demise of former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. He was one of the most illustrious presidents of the country, who was a visionary leader and a gifted scientist."

West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi expressed his "heartfelt condolences" and called the death of former President A P J Abdul Kalam an "incomparable loss to the nation."

Photograph: Getty Images