President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Modi pay homage to Dr Kalam at Delhi airport

Mortal remains of late former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam arrived at Palam Airport in New Delhi from Guwahati on Tuesday.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Three Service Chiefs paid homage to Kalam.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were also present.

Public can pay homage to the late President from 3pm onwards at 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi.

The last rites will take place at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.

People from all walks of life took to social media and paid homage to the apolitical President. Kalam led the scientific team that developed missiles able to carry India's nuclear warheads.

He became a national hero after helping oversee nuclear tests in 1998 that solidified India's status as a nuclear weapons state. India's first atomic test was in 1974.

Meanwhile, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani announced Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan to be renamed as APJ Abdul Kalam Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan.

Telangana Government has announced holiday, whereas the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to work one hour extra to pay tribute to the late President.

Kalam died on Monday (July 27) from a cardiac arrest at the age of 83.

Kalam, popularly known as 'Missile Man', was delivering a lecture in Shillong when he collapsed and was rushed to Bethany Hospital.

Kalam’s last tweet was:



We at Business Insider have created this unique platform for anyone who wants to pay homage to this the beloved Former President, APJ Abdul Kalam- the great leader, teacher, scientist and amongst many other things a visionary par excellence, even as he embarks upon his last journey. Just click on the link to pay your respects: http://www.businessinsider.in/social/48249034.cms

(Images: ANI Twitter)