The city on Wednesday observed the first death anniversary of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, fondly known as the People’s President, who breathed his last in Shillong last year while delivering a lecture at Indian Institute of Management. Milestone Handicrafts and Women Welfare Society in association with APTECH Education Institute paid rich tributes to the Missile Man. Addressing the gathering, former Vice-Chancellor of Nagarjuna University Bala Mohan Das spoke about Dr Kalam’s work and life and recollected his meeting with the visionary at a national conference in Allahabad. “He had lived a life of hard work, sincerity and simplicity that inspired millions. He led an incredibly humble life which only made him approachable to all, but also one of the most loved and revered Indians. His thoughts continue to be with us all the time,” he said.
P.V. Narayana Rao, former city BJP president, said it was Kalam who made India’s missile and space programmes and Pokhran-2 nuclear test possible. Rahimunnisa Begum, founder president of Milestone Handicrafts and Women Welfare Society, spoke about Kalam’s visit to the city for the 68{+t}{+h}convocation of Andhra University. Veena Jessie, a student of APTECH’s diploma course in aviation, spoke about Kalam’s popularity among children. Among others, Sridhar of Matrusri Foundation and G. Ram Babu, Director of APTECH Edu Centre, shared their thoughts on the great visionary and paid tributes.