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Rameswaram mourns death of its famous son

Last Updated 28 July 2015, 19:27 IST
A cloud of darkness hangs over Tamil Nadu, especially on the coastal town of Rameshwaram, ever since the news of former President A P J Abdul Kalam’s sudden demise was announced.

Kalam’s relatives, especially his 99-year-old brother Mohammed Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraicker, could not control his emotions and kept saying, “I want to see my brother”.

“I have a lot to remember. He is the first son of this house since we were born in other place. I pray to the almighty that the government should consider our family’s request to bring my brother's body here. Please bring my brother here and I want to see him,” he said.

The funeral will be held in his native town of Rameshwaram as per the wishes of his elder brother and family members. To many Kalam’s house, where the country’s “missile man” was born, symbolises a temple of education, humanity and science as the former President excelled in all these fields and reached the common man’s heart through his thoughts, actions and deeds.

Now, an eerie silence prevails as the cheerful face, a  thoroughbred scientist and a fine human being is no more. Men, women, children, especially students and even tourists are making a beeline to visit Rameshwaram. “I cancelled my trip and I am going to stay at Rameshwaram till the last rites are over,” said Biswendu Banerjee, who has come all the way from Tripura.

Candle light vigils, silent rallies and prayers were also organised across the state. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions were closed in many parts of Tamil Nadu to pay respect to the departed leader. Many commercial establishments and shops downed shutters, especially in Chennai's Chrompet area, home to Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) where Kalam completed his masters degree.

Kalam belonged to the sixth batch at MIT and pursued his DMIT in aeronautics. He came to Chennai (then Madras) in 1955 and stayed in the hostel located inside the campus during the three-year course.
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(Published 28 July 2015, 19:27 IST)

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