Governor Dr SC Jamir paid tribute to former President Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam at a condolence meeting held at the Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday. Earlier in the morning, the Governor had cancelled programmes at the Utakal University of Culture and the Bharatbarsiya Jain Mahasabha.
The State Government also paid rich tribute to Kalam at a special condolence meeting here at the Secretariat where Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Chief Secretary G C Pati and a large number of Ministers mourned the passing away of the former President. Patnaik offered floral tribute to the late President and participants, including Ministers, observed a two minute silence.
Describing Kalam as the people's President, the Chief Minister said, “I am deeply shocked at the sad demise of the former President. He was one of the illustrious Presidents and a visionary leader and a gifted scientist.”
Stating that Kalam was one of the finest human beings of the time, Patnaik said the former President inspired and guided millions of children to follow their dreams and explore their inherent talent. “He had a special relationship with Odisha and Bijubabu. He was always in the heart of the people of Odisha. Dr Kalam was a Karma Yogi in its truest meaning,” Patnaik said.
The State Government also declared a holiday on Tuesday in schools, colleges and all other educational institutions in his memory.
Rural Development Minister Badrinarayan Patra would represent the State at the funeral ceremony of Kalam at Rameswaram on Thursday. All State Ministers also mourned Kalam’s death.
Expressing deep condolence over the demise, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said Kalam was a visionary, embodiment of peace, brotherhood and fraternity, loved and revered by one and all. “During his tenure, India progressed in leaps in science and technology and carved out a space of its own. He enthused and instilled the Indian youths with scientific temper,” Mishra said.
Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik condoled the death and termed it as an irreparable loss to the nation. Remembering Kalam’s connection with Odisha, Patnaik said he had taken lead in the test-fires of Agni and Prithvi missiles from Odisha. “With his death, the nation lost a great scientist, a patriot and a visionary. He was a people’s leader in true sense,” added the Congress leader.
The fraternity of the KITT and KISS, including students and staffs, mourned the death of Dr Kalam. Institute founder Dr Achyuta Samanta said Dr Kalam had come to both the institutes six times, two times during his tenure as the President and spent a lot of time with the students. “I have had the opportunity to personally meet the great scientist many times. With his death, the nation lost one of its proud sons and a real gem,” said Samanta.
DAVians of Chandrasekharpur offered floral tributes to the former President in the school premises. Dr Kalam had visited the school in January 2002 and inspired the student community with his wisdom, ‘a flaming mind is more powerful than an atom bomb.’
Students and teachers of the Vidwan Concept School here condoled the death of Dr Kalam by observing one-minute silence on Tuesday. School Principal AK Pati spoke on the on the immense contributions of Kalam towards development of defence and education in the country.
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik remembered Dr Kalam for favouring him with a cheque of Rs 3,000 from his personal account at the Rastrapati Bhavan after he was adjudged as the best artist at the Berlin international sand art competition.
The Odisha Nagarika Samaj (ONAS) termed Dr Kalam’s death as an irreparable loss to the country. ONAS members, including its president Jantrana Parikshit, vice-president Ramehs Cshandsra Mohanty, member secretary Subash Pandam and joint secretary Sachikant Pradhan paid deep condolence over his death.