Abdul Kalam's death 'a great loss' to nation: Prakash Padukone

Former Badminton ace Prakash Padukone on Tuesday said the passing away of former president APJ Abdul Kalam was a great loss to the nation.

"I think it's a great loss to the nation. I have read a lot and heard a lot about him. I've heard all his speeches," Padukone told ANI.

Chess icon Viswanathan Anand, too, remembered the late leader as someone who a lot of people could relate to.

"I haven't actually spent a lot of time with him but I do remember reading a lot about him and a lot of people seem to be able to relate to the late president," Anand said.

Dr. Kalam passed away in Shillong last evening. He collapsed after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong yesterday.

The government has declared a seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect for Dr. Kalam, who played a stellar role in advancing India's nuclear programme.

Considered one of the most popular presidents of India, Kalam became the11th head of the state and occupied the post between 2002 and 2007 during the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.