Former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam has died at the age of 83. He died on Monday after collapsing as he delivered a scientific lecture.
Kalam served as India’s 11th president from 2002 to 2007 and was popularly known as “Missile Man” after pioneering the country’s military missile program, BBC reported.
India has declared seven days of national mourning. The former professor’s body was flown to New Delhi on Tuesday for burial.
“His death is a great loss to the scientific community,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. “He took India to great heights. He showed the way.”
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said, “Kalam would be long remembered for his passion for science and innovation and his contribution as an eminent scientist, administrator, educationist and writer.”
