Homage paid to Kalam on his 11th death anniversary

Collector M. Sivaguru Prabakaran pay floral tributes to former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam memorial at Peikarumbu near Rameswaram on Monday.

| Photo Credit: L. BALACHANDAR

Thousands of public paid homage at the memorial of the late former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram on the occasion of his 11th death anniversary here on Monday.India’s 11th President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, after his tenure as President, travelled across the country participating in various events at colleges and schools to inspire students.While addressing students at a college event in Shillong, Meghalaya, on July 27, 2015, he passed away.Later, his body was laid to rest at Peikarumbu on Rameswaram island.Meanwhile, the 11th death anniversary of the late former President Abdul Kalam was observed across the country on Monday.Marking Kalam’s death anniversary at the Abdul Kalam memorial in Peikarumbu, Rameswaram, Kalam’s elder brother’s son Zainulabuddin, daughter Naseema Marakayar, son-in-law Nizam, grandsons Sheik Dawood, Sheik Saleem, Aul Meera, and family members offered special prayers according to Islamic traditions.Following this, Ramanathapuram District Collector M. Sivaguru Prabakaran paid homage on behalf of the government. Prominent figures from various political parties also paid their respects.Subsequently, the general public, students, tourists visiting Rameswaram, and devotees paid their homage.Former BJP president and president of the ‘We The Leaders’ organisation K. Annamalai speaking at the event said, Swami Vivekananda, after completing his trip to America, came to Pamban Kundukal via Sri Lanka.He was welcomed by the then Raja of Ramanathapuram. The Marakayars of Mandapam donated five acres of land at that location to build the Swami Vivekananda Memorial House.After Swami Vivekananda, the great leader Abdul Kalam was born in India in Rameswaram into a simple family, starting his life as a newspaper delivery boy and then rising step by step.Abdul Kalam had the experience of working with eight Prime Ministers, he added.Today, space science in India has grown to the extent that even private organisations can launch satellites into space. Abdul Kalam served as the pioneer responsible for this, he noted.Abdul Kalam stood as a role model for never letting go of patriotism and remaining an exemplary citizen of this country until his very end, he added. Published - July 27, 2026 08:34 pm IST