It is an immense loss to the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and India. He had a vision for the country. He wanted India to become self-reliant in the field of science and technology including missile and space technology. Above of all, he was a down-to-earth person and had a compassion for every creation of the earth including animals, plants and environment. He was a fountain of inspiration, said Dr Binay Kumar Das, Additional Director of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur on Tuesday remembering Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
“I still vividly remember when he joined us for the National Conference on Range Technology (Nacort) in December 2006 as a guest. He had gone straight to a banyan tree, which was in the place ever since the ITR was constructed. He had commented that since the tree is getting stronger and bigger, I believe the ITR too is going stronger and stronger. He congratulated us for the success of the inceptor missile exercise, then recently accomplished and inquired about the missile programmes,” Dr Das recalled.
Baleswar MP RK Jena remembered, “On the occasion of the golden jubilee celebration of the Sachindra Kumar High School on January 5, 2012, Dr Kalam addressed the children. He had a magnetic and charismatic power to hold the crowd through his words. Not only he mentioned his about his childhood with limited resources, he emphasised on the teacher-student relationship in those times and encouraged students to become great and do something innovative.” .
Sasmita Patra, currently in a Government job, said, “When I saw him in our convocation, I was moved by his words and speeches. He wanted to infuse leadership and nationality quality in each student. Such a simple man with such high post, President, I have never seen.”
Members of the Baleswar Bar Association ceased work in his Dr Kalam’s memory. Several organisations including ITR, PXE and other units of the DRDO, the Baleswar Press Forums and the Art and Craft College held condolence meetings.