She said he began his life from a very humble background, being born into a poor family in Rameshwaram, and later rose to the greatest heights through dint of sheer perseverance, hard work and brilliance.
Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and leaders of political parties today expressed grief over the death of former President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Expressing shock, Governor Rosaiah said, "he was a people's President whose mission was to network and ignite young Indian Minds towards innovation and creativity." He said the nation lost a great personality, a statesman, a missile scientist and a compassionate human being.
"His death is an irreparable loss to the nation, to the state of Tamil Nadu and to the youth and the Children of this nation," he said conveying his condolences to the bereaved members of his family.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa hailed Kalam as a youth icon, a great inspirational scientist and a beloved son of Tamil Nadu.
"It was with profound grief and sorrow that I learnt his sudden demise.... I join the people of India and of Tamil Nadu in deeply mourning his passing away."
She said he began his life from a very humble background, being born into a poor family in Rameshwaram, and later rose to the greatest heights through dint of sheer perseverance, hard work and brilliance.
"His contributions to India's space, missile and nuclear programmes are well known. A visionary scientist, he gave India the pride of place on the global stage of space technology and research."
She said he reinforced India's stature as a responsible and self-reliant nuclear power.
"Former President Kalam was one of the greatest public figures of post Independence India."
Recalling his achievements, she said he led the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme of the Defence Research Development Organisation with great success. "He has been a great source of inspiration for the people of this country and in particular for children and students."
"He became a great youth icon. He touched everyone with his simplicity and grace. He was a true patriot who placed the interests of the country above all else. His mind was full of ideas for harnessing technology for the benefit of the rural poor."
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram tweeted "the whole nation mourns the passing away of former President Dr Abdul Kalam. I join all Indians in expressing our deep sense of grief."
"I pay tribute to the life and work of former President Dr Kalam as a teacher, a scientist, a team leader, and above all as a great human being," he said.
Condoling the death, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) chief Ramadoss said Kalam will continue to live on forever through his contributions to society.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief E V K S Elangovan said Kalam dedicated his life in the service of the nation. "His death is an irreparable loss to the nation," he said.
DMK treasurer MK Stalin said Kalam was a man of unparallelled sincerity, simplicity and intelligence.
"We will miss you sir, but we promise to continue your dreams of taking India on a path of technological and inclusive progress," he said in a statement.
"The nation will forever be proud and grateful to the simple man from Rameswaram who dreamt of the stars and not just reached them but also spent his life encouraging and telling us that it is possible to achieve our dreams." He was a man who showed the world that "India is capable of great achievements and made the world stand up and respect us."
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