Rich tributes paid to Kalam in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi

Silent procession, sapling planting mark his first death anniversary

REMEMBERING A GREAT LEADER:Students and faculty of Sadakkathullah Appa College in Tirunelveli planting a sapling on the college premises on Wednesday; (right) floral tributes being paid at Kamaraj College in Thoothukudi.— Photos: A. Shaikmohideen and N. Rajesh

Students of various schools and colleges in the district paid tributes to ‘People’s President’ APJ Abdul Kalam on his first death anniversary on Wednesday through silent processions, blood donation awareness camps, planting of saplings.

Led by Principal M. Mohamed Sathik, students of Sadakkathullah Appa College in Palayamkottai planted saplings on the college premises.

Blood donation awareness

TDMNS College organised a blood donation awareness camp to encourage students to donate blood. Blood group identification for students was done on the occasion.

Students of Vedic Vidhyashram at Thatchanallur took out a silent procession at Murugankurichi. It was flagged off by Commissioner of Police R. Thirugnanam. Students and faculty members of Francis Xavier Engineering College, Vannarpet, lit candles in front of a portrait of Kalam.

Students and teachers of V.K. Nursery and Primary School in Tirunelveli Town paid floral tributes to the portrait of the leader. Kalam’s ‘Ten oaths for students and youths’ were administered to students of Little Flower Public School in Gandhi Nagar.

Floral tributes were paid to Kalam by cadres of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, Thamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and the Congress.

Thoothukudi

People in general and students in particular remembered the ‘Missile Man of India’ in various parts of Thoothukudi district.

Students of Raja Higher Secondary School, Ettayapuram, took a silent procession to the house of poet C. Subramaniya Bharathi and paid tributes to Kalam’s portrait there. The students took a pledge to fulfil the vision of Kalam, who kindled the spirit of students to develop the nation through scientific advancements, P. Muthu Murugan, founder-president of Bharathiyar Memorial Trust, said.

Contributions of Kalam

Students and faculty members of Kamaraj College in Thoothukudi observed the anniversary. Principal D. Nagarajan, in his address, highlighted the contributions of Kalam to the nation in the field of science. The late president recognised teaching profession as the noblest of all vocations and was involved wholeheartedly in teaching and motivated students to achieve their goals, he said.