Describing former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as a humble person who achieved a lot in life, boxer L Sarita Devi on Tuesday said she felt like crying when she heard about his death.
"I am very sad. He was such a humble person and achieved so much. He inspired and motivated so many people. When I was going through this news, I felt like crying. I pray that his soul rests in peace," Sarita Devi told ANI here.
Dr. Kalam passed away in Shillong last evening.
He collapsed after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong yesterday.
The government has declared a seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect for Dr. Kalam, who played a stellar role in advancing India's nuclear programme.
Considered one of the most popular presidents of India, Kalam became the11th head of the state and occupied the post between 2002 and 2007 during the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.