President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led the nation in remembering the 'Missile Man' of India, A P J Abdul Kalam, on his 86th birth anniversary.
In his home state Tamil Nadu, the birth anniversary of the former president was marked by planting of trees and floral tributes.
At Kalam's memorial in Peikarambu near his home town Rameswaram, his family members and people from various walks of life, including students, paid floral tributes.
Kovind described the Missile Man as one of the greatest visionaries who ignited young minds, while Modi praised Kalam saying his personality inspired millions.
Speaking with a group of children who arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan from Rameswaram by the bus 'Dr Kalam Sandesh Vahini Vision 2020', Kovind said he saluted Kalam and his monumental achievements as a scientist, a scholar and as the president of India.
"One of the best ways of building the character of the youth of any country is to inspire them to read biographies of great personalities," he said.
The president said Kalam was one of India's greatest visionaries and is fondly remembered as 'Missile Man of India' and 'People's President'.
The Kalam Sandesh Vahini bus presents the life story of the former president in a very interesting manner, he said.
Earlier, Kovind paid floral tributes at the portrait of Kalam at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Modi in a tweet said, "Remembering our beloved former president, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary. His endearing personality inspires millions".
The prime minister shared a short video containing glimpses from the life of Kalam and his own (Modi's) earlier speech praising the late scientist.
In Chennai, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit led the state in remembering Kalam.
Purohit paid floral tributes to a statue of Kalam at the Raj Bhavan here, an official release said.
At Peikarumbu, students, government representatives and public thronged his memorial to pay their respects.
The memorial, construction work on which began on his last birth anniversary, was inaugurated by the prime minister in July this year.
Family members of Kalam, Tamil Nadu Information Technology Minister M Manikandan, Ramanathapuram District Collector S Natarajan and others paid their tributes at the memorial.
Students of the Mandapam Panchayat Union Primary School, where Kalam had studied, remembered him and took a oath to uphold his ideals.
In Chennai, at a function held at the Adyar Cancer Institute, its chairperson and Padma Vibhushan awardee V Shanta planted a sapling to mark Kalam's birth anniversary.
"We cannot have a more inspiring leader than what we have had (in the past)," she said.
Film actor Vivek, an ardent supporter of Kalam, took part in various functions where saplings were planted across the city on the occasion.
Kalam was born on October 15, 1931. He was a popular head of state between 2002 and 2007. Kalam died on July 27, 2015.
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