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Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar visits the site for President Kalam's proposed memorial.
Two JCB machines are relentlessly at work, filling up a huge dig outside the venue for President A P J Abdul Kalam's proposed memorial in Rameswaram, the foundation stone for which will be laid on Wednesday, July 27, his first death anniversary.
The district collector arrives for a last minute inspection as two policemen kept curious spectators away, telling them to come the next day.
Inside the compound, workers carry mud and sand to level uneven surfaces. Banners have been placed outside to inform visitors that the foundation stone will be laid on Wednesday at 9 am.
The honours will be done by Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's presence. Other ministers are also expected, including Pon Radhakrishnan, the only Bharatiya Janata Party MP and Union minister from Tamil Nadu.
A statue of President Kalam awaits unveiling. Inside the venue, a huge hall has been set up like a minor museum. Replicas of missiles developed by President Kalam during his avatar as a defence scientist and photographs highlighting his achievements have been exhibited in the hall.
A huge group of school children come marching in. Seeing the number of banners and posters that have been put up all over Rameswaram, Wednesday will be a very busy day for the local administration.