Remembering former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in the choicest ways, people from different walks of life filled Thursday, October 15, with a number of activities.
From tiny tots, to youth in educational institutions, service organisations and political outfits, a whole spectrum of people participated in Kalam’s 84{+t}{+h}birth anniversary celebrations.
The Collector, L. Subramanian, flagged off a rally taken out by about 5000 students, representing around 20 schools and colleges. Holding placards hailing the former President, the students began the rally at Tamukkum Grounds and passed through Collector’s office, Aavin junction and KK Nagar Main Road to reach Race Course Grounds.
Born in a poor family, Kalam not only rose up to the top echelon in his profession, but also became “People’s President” and remained as a teacher till the last moment. In fact, he threw open the Rashtrapati Bhavan for people to visit the sprawling campus freely, speakers said at the ceremony.
Schools and colleges organised events ranging from lighting lamps and taking pledges driving home the message to make India a developed nation, to empower the weaker sections and to keep the surroundings clean and green.
Hailing the former President as “Missile Man,” students participated in contests, which included elocution and poetry writing.
Speakers at the function organised at Dr. T. Thirugnanam Primary School at Keela Sandaipettai praised the yeomen services of late Kalam. The school secretary, A. V. S. N. Shanmuganathan, presided and Principal Saravanan addressed the gathering. Students of Madurai Sivakasi Nadars Pioneer Meenakshi Women’s College at Poovanthi paid rich tributes to Kalam, recited poems on him and recalled how they were inspired by his talks.
For the past one week, students of St. John’s Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kochadai, took up various activities. Through the science forum, they disseminated the need to keep the surroundings clean, especially in the wake of threats like dengue and other diseases. They took out a rally to Kochadai village and interacted with the public.
Those who participated in the interaction included Headmaster Jerome, RTI activist Anandraj, councillor Rajendran and District Malaria Officer Jayaraj participated.
Students of Visakan School participated in laying drip irrigation line for more than 50 plants on their campus. Baghirathy Manoharan presided. P. Manjula recalled the life of Kalam in her address. Earlier, the children participated in an elocution competition and audio visual quiz on the works of the former President.
