ICC meeting to pay homage to Dr Abdul Kalam

Dr Abdul Kalam died at a hospital in the eastern state of Meghalaya.

Doha

The Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) will hold a condolence meeting at 8 pm on Tuesday at ICC's Ashoka Hall to pay homage to former Indian president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who died on Monday. Dr Kalam, also a distinguished scientist, died at a hospital in the eastern state of Meghalaya. India’s 11th president from 2002 to 2007, Dr Kalam collapsed while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, around 6.30pm on Monday, according to Indian news agencies. He was a key member of India’s missile development programme and a recipient of Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, for scientific research and modernisation of defence technology.

Condolence book

A condolence book will be opened at the Indian embassy on Wednesday and Thursday for Qatar residents to pay their respects to Dr Abdul Kalam. People can offer their condolences between 10am and 1pm and between 3pm and 5pm on both days, said Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora. While describing Dr Kalam's death as a great loss to India and the entire humanity, Arora said the former Indian president was an inspirational leader with a great vision for his country and the world. "He was particularly keen about engaging with students, young people, scientists and technocrats and motivating them at every available opportunity", the envoy added. The ambassador also recalled that he had the honour and privilege of being associated with Dr Kalam's visits to the US during his posting as counsel general of India in Houston.