PM Modi pays tribute to 'Missile Man' Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his 88th birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to former President and 'Missile Man' of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his 88th birth anniversary.

Remembering Dr Kalam's contributions to the country, PM Modi said, "His ideal life will keep on inspiring the people of the country".

"My heartfelt tribute to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam ji on his anniversary. He dreamt of the India of 21st century, which was capable and then went on to give his exceptional contribution to the goal. His ideal life will keep on inspiring the people of the country. India salutes Dr APJ Abdul Kalamji on his Jayanti," PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

Among the various other leaders, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to the late leader. He said that Dr Kalam was "People's President who would continue to live in the hearts and mind of the people of India."

Along with Singh, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh also paid tributes to Dr Kalam, at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Bhawan in Delhi.

Born on October 15, 1931, at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Dr Kalam specialised in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. After having a successful career as an aerospace scientist, he went on to become the 11th President of India and served the country from 2002 to 2007.

In 2010, the United Nations decided to recognise October 15 as World Student Day as Dr Kalam was known for his dedications towards teaching. He always referred to himself as a teacher first.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar while paying tribute to Kalam, reminded citizens that it was due to his extreme love and dedication to the students that the former President's birthday was celebrated as the World Students Day.

"The birthday of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam - the most popular President of India -is celebrated as World Students Day. He was a real teacher and loved students and even died while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. My tributes to the Bharat Ratna Abdul Kalam," Javadekar's tweet read. 

Dr Kalam suffered a cardiac arrest on July 27, 2015, and passed away while giving a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong.