PM Modi inaugurates Kalam's memorial

He opened the memorial built in the hometown of the former president at a location where the mortal remains of the "missile man" are buried.

Modi, who also unveiled a statue of Kalam playing a 'veena', a musical instrument, was accompanied by Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister K Palaniswami, Union ministers Pon Radhakrishnan and NDA's vice presidential nominee M Venakaiah Naidu.

The Prime Minister unfurled the national flag at the entrance of the memorial, built by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with which Kalam was associated for decades as a key scientist.

Later, Modi interacted with the family members of Kalam.

He was seen holding affectionately the hands of Kalam's elder brother APJ Mohamed Muthumeeran Maraikayar while speaking to him.

With 'unity in diversity' as its theme, the memorial features quotes of Kalam and his pictures as a scientist and as the president of the country.

Resembling the arch of the India Gate, the memorial has on display replica of rockets and missiles on which Kalam had worked.

While the first phase of the memorial was inaugurated today, its second phase was scheduled to be completed in another 18 months. It would then house a library, planetarium and auditorium.

Earlier, Rao and Palaniswami received Modi at the Madurai airport from where he arrived here by an helicopter.

A three-tier tight security ring was put in place in and around Rameswaram for the Prime Minister's visit.