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Thousands say goodbye as Kalam makes his way home

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 17:52 IST

A sea of humanity, especially school and college students, thronged Rameswaram to catch a last glimpse of former President A P J Abdul Kalam before his last rites on Thursday. The body of the 'people's President' was brought down to Rameswaram from New Delhi in the afternoon.

Emotional welcome for mortal remains of Dr Kalam at Mandapam on the way to Rameswaram. Photograph: Press Information Bureau/Twitter

The mortal remains of former President A P J Abdul Kalam were on Wednesday brought to his hometown of Rameswaram as a large number of people converged to get a last glimpse of the departed leader.

The helicopter carrying Kalam’s body touched down at the specially laid helipad at nearby Mandapam around 4 pm.

Earlier, the body of the former president, who passed away on Monday, was brought to Madurai from New Delhi by a special aircraft.

Students and people from all walks of life to bid adieu to their favourite son. Photograph: SpokespersonMoD/Twitter

Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar accompanied the body and were joined by their ministerial colleague Pon Radhakrishnan.

Draped in the tri-colour, Kalam’s body was taken by road in an army vehicle with people lining up on both sides of the 10-km stretch to take a glimpse and pay respects.

Last salute from Madurai to Dr A P J Abdul Kalam before being taken to Rameswaram. Photograph: Press Information Bureau/Twitter

Some of Kalam’s family members were also present at the helipad.

Tamil Nadu ministers, deputed by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, and Dravida Munnetra Kazagham leader M K Stalin were among those present when the body arrived.

A commotion was witnessed when several people ran towards the helipad soon after the chopper landed, but was swiftly brought under control by security personnel.

A senior police official pays tributes to Dr Kalam in Madurai. Photograph: Press Information Bureau/Twitter

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Naidu said the body would be kept for the public to pay their last respects till 8 pm. After this, it would be handed over to Kalam’s family who would take it to their ancestral house at Pallivasal Street, where the ‘missile man’ grew up, for conducting some ceremonies.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the last rites to be performed on Thursday.

ADr Kalam's mortal remains being transferred from the C-130J aircraft to a MI-17 V5 helicopter at Madurai. Photograph: Press Information Bureau/Twitter

The body would also be taken to a local mosque, a state official said.

Around 2,000 police and security personnel have been deployed in the town for managing the situation.