Amit Shah, Narendra Modi, LK Advani and other BJP leaders paid homage to former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Calling it a nation's "loss of a visionary", BJP today paid glowing tributes to former President A P J Abdul Kalam with party chief Amit Shah describing him as the "best exemplar" of the idea of India. Shah said Kalam was a "rare combination" of science, education and morality and his personality and achievements will inspire the coming generations.
"He served Mother India literally until the last breath of his life. He was truly a 'karma yogi' par excellence. I always regarded Dr Kalam as the best exemplar of the idea of India, one who embodied the best of all the cultural and spiritual traditions that signify India's unity in immense diversity. "Dr. Kalam's personality uniquely harmonised science and spirituality. As the President of India, he also harmonised the agendas of security and development.
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam,addressing during the inaugural function of the 150 years celebrations of Bishop Cotton Boy's School in Bengaluru on Sunday. A Veeramani- DNA
Also Read : Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a multi-faceted personality
Shah said Kalam dreamt of a developed, prosperous and strong India and dedicated his life to realising this dream. "Nation will always be in debt for his contributions. His death has caused an irreparable loss to the nation," Shah said, recalling that Kalam played a key role in making India a space and nuclear power.
BJP patriarch L K Advani said the void left by his absence cannot be filled.
PM Narendra Modi also expressed his grief. He tweeted,
In his condolence message, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari described the Bharat Ratna as a great scientist, a true nationalist and a wonderful human being. "In his death the nation has lost a visionary and the scientific community a missile expert," he said.
Also Read : Abdul Kalam showed no signs of life when brought to hospital: Doctor
Abdul Kalam Passes Away
Kalam, 83, was rushed to the hospital in Nongrim hills in Meghalaya capital at around 7 pm, where he was in the Intensive Care Unit(ICU) for 45 minutes before he was declared dead. Dr A M Kharbamon, a specialist who attended to Kalam after he was brought to the hospital, told reporters that he was declared dead at 7:45 pm.
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said Kalam was a "self-made man", who inspired generations of scientists and the youth of our country. "As the President during 2002-07, Dr Kalam proved to be a people's President. He extensively travelled across the country with the mission of inspiring the students and the youth. As President, he discharged his constitutional responsibilities to perfection and to the admiration of all," he said.
Kalam was a true nationalist and the pride of the nation, Naidu said in his tribute. "He was a great son of India." He said the government was looking to either shift him to Delhi or to dispatch a team of doctors to Shillong, where he had suddenly collapsed at an event yesterday, but "he was snatched away from our midst so suddenly that there was no time".
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Abdul Kalam Passes Away")
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}