Abdul Kalam memorial in Dilli Haat draws huge crowd

Visitors’ book at former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s memorial in Dilli Haat is filling up fast. The entries had already covered over 12 pages on Sun-day, said an official, addi-ng that the visitors to the memorial often describe their experience as “inspiring” and “heart touching.”

On the first death anniversary of the Missile Man last month, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the memorial. “Close to 400-500 people visit the memorial on weekends, while on the weekdays we get 200-300 people each day,” the museum staff said.

The memorial has notebooks, clothes and other personal belongings of the former President. According to the city tourism department, the memorial will soon have Dr Kalam’s bronze statue, audio-visual panels and recordings of his speeches.

“A week through this place inspired me, excited me, soothed me all the same. An excellent endeavour to show the world more about a person we’ve all come to know and love,” said one of the entries by a visitor.

The museum official, who doesn’t want to be named, recalled that he has had visitors revealing to him about their personal memories of Dr Kalam. “One day, I saw a girl crying in front of his memorial pictures. She told me about her experience of meeting Kalam saheb and what he meant to children like her. I was in tears myself,” he said.

“Another day, we had a nuclear scientist from Dwarka visiting the memorial. He is 70-year-old and has worked with Kalam Saheb. Many scientists from the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) have also visited the memorial,” the official added.

The museum throws light on Dr Kalam’s childhood, scientific endeavours, personal life, tenure as the President and his demise. There is also a section dedicated to his “India Vision 2020.”

People visiting the memorial also get a sneak peak into his love of music. “Dr Kalam was very fond of Carnatic music. He mastered the art of Rudra Veena, under the guidance of Ms Kalyani in Hyderab-ad. He had a strong despite to give a concert someday. ‘One day I’ll play in a concert so that I can make people happy’, he said in one of his interviews,” says an inscription on one of the memorial walls.