Delhi Art and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra on Wednesday took possession of a truckload of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s belongings. They included a collection of 1,000 books, paintings and artefacts, to be displayed at Kalam’s Knowledge Centre in the National Capital.
After the BJP government turned down a plea to convert Kalam’s house at Rajaji Marg in Delhi as the “Kalam Centre for Knowledge Discovery” and sent his belongings to his house here, the Delhi government offered to establish the centre.
Mr. Mishra, leading a delegation, called on APJM Maraikayar, elder brother of Kalam, at the “House of Kalam” here and took possession of the items. He despatched them to Delhi in a container.
Mr. Maraikayar, who handed over his brother’s belongings to Mr. Mishra, expressed happiness over the move to set up the memorial.
It would be of immense use to children and the younger generation, he said.
During the visit, Mr. Mishra and other government officials first paid tribute to Kalam at his mazar (tomb). “We will start a museum in the memory of Kalam at the Delhi Haat, which we will be inaugurated on July 27 — Kalam’s first death anniversary,” he said. “In the meantime, we will host his possessions and belongings at the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, which represents the will of the people,” he added.
On Monday, Mr. Mishra tweeted: “Going to Rameshwaram tmrw to bring back belongings & personal possessions of Kalam Sir. Finally Delhi will hv his Memorial. We miss you Sir” (sic).
(With inputs from Sidhartha Roy in Delhi)
