The uniform show of solidarity by people cutting across all barriers here on Thursday was an attestation of the sobriquet “People’s President” earned by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Miles away as the nation prepared to bury the former President, the district shut down as a mark of respect, mourning the loss of its Bharat Ratna.
Without any announcements of any sort from any quarters, business establishments remained closed for the entire day. Never before in recent past one has witnessed expressions of such intense grief. Late Wednesday evening, the Tamil Nadu Sports Authority of Tamil Nadu held a candlelight memorial on the stadium grounds here. Students, youth, and senior citizens participated. A life-size portrait of Abdul Kalam was placed to pay homage.
ADVERTISEMENT
Early on Thursday, as the mortal remains was kept for the general public to pay homage at Kalam’s hometown, special prayers were held at Shahi Masjid here.
A silent procession was organised later.
On Wednesday evening, many commercial establishments had announced that they would not open shop on Thursday as a mark of respect for Kalam.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cinemas too remained closed. People chose to remain indoors to watch the live coverage of the final journey of the much loved and respected former President held in Rameswaram.
Salem, Erode
Almost all commercial establishments were kept closed on Thursday in the city as a mark of respect for late former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Azad.
The major marketplaces were shorn of the usual activity, and in front of very many shops, the owners had put up posters of the late President with their condolence message. Right from restaurants to petty shops, all were kept closed in most parts of the district.
Since the government had declared a holiday, students spent their time watching the last rites of the departed leader on television.