‘Bhoomi Puja’ for Kalam’s memorial performed

The former President’s elder brother APJ Muthumeeran Maraikayar performed the ‘Bhoomi Puja’ at the memorial site, marking the commencement of the construction work. Several students and family members of the former President and government officials took part in the event. On Friday, a team of DRDO officials led by PK Singh had visited the site and held discussions with local officials regarding various aspects of the memorial. 

A total of Rs 50 crore had been allocated for the memorial and a knowledge centre, they said. In the first phase, Rs 15 crore would be spent on the construction of the memorial on a 27,000 sq ft area. It would cover the burial site and a statue of Kalam. The memorial would be ready for inauguration on July 27 next year, the second death anniversary of the former President. The construction of knowledge centre will be taken up in the second phase, they added. 

Meanwhile various organisations in the state paid rich tributes to Kalam on his 85th birth anniversary on Saturday. Candle light vigils, prayers and various social awareness events, planting of tree saplings were among the events held across the state to mark the occasion. The day was being observed as National Youth and Students day as several schools organised events to celebrate the People’s president’s birth anniversary, who ignited the young minds by asking them to think big to make India a super power. 

In almost every nook and corner of Chennai city, people, especially students and tiny tots, paid tributes to decorated portrait of Dr Kalam both inside and outside their houses and lit candles. Free meals were also given to people to mark the occasion in some places. 

Awards presented 

The World Youth Federation presented the Dr Kalam Young Achiever Award and Dr Kalam Social Activist award to mark the occasion. While Dr Kalam Young Achiever Award 2016 was given to 60 engineering students, the Dr Kalam Social Activist Award-2016 was presented to 25 social activists.

The awards were presented by School Education Minister Ma Foi Pandiarajan. For SRM University graduates, it was a momentous and befitting occasion as the 12th convocation of the University was held on Saturday, coinciding with the 85th birth anniversary of former President Kalam, whose love and affection for students, was well known. 

SRM University Chancellor Dr P Sathyanarayanan said students must live up to his expectations. 

In Puducherry, differently-abled persons organised an awareness rally on ‘Swachh Bharat’ to mark the occasion. Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi flagged off the rally. As many as 50 differently-abled people took part in the rally.