Hamid, Hasina lead Bangladesh’s tributes for late Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have led the tributes for former Indian President Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.

Kalam, known as the ‘Missile Man’ for his key role in the India’s guided missile development programme, died around 7:45pm on Monday at a hospital in Meghalaya’s Shillong following a cardiac arrest.
 
He was 84. He was the 11th president of India serving from 2002 to 2007.
 
The world lost an efficient nuclear scientist with the demise of former Indian president Kalam, President Hamid said in a message.
 
His Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told bdnews24.com Hamid also recalled Kalam’s contribution to the aeronautical engineering.
 
Prime Minister Hasina’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told bdnews24.com she also expressed deep shock at the sudden demise of Kalam, who was also known as ‘People's President’.
 
Hasina also wrote to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night mourning Kalam on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh.
 
She called Kalam ‘one of the most famous sons of India and a great scientific mind of his time’.
 
“In president Kalam, we saw the rare combination of a great statesman, an acclaimed scientist and a gifted writer.
 
“His invaluable contribution to India's rise in the sphere of science and technology would be remembered forever by all,” said Hasina in the letter.

“He was a force of inspiration to the young generation of South Asia, someone who gave wings to their hidden dreams. His passing away is an irreparable loss to India and beyond.”
 
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a condolence message said Kalam took the Bangladesh-India relations to a great height when he was president.
 
He had won the hearts of the Bangladeshis. “I am deeply saddened by his death,” she said.
 
In separate messages, Leader of the Opposition Raushon Ershad, Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia, Chief Whip ASM Feroz and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique also expressed shock over Kalam’s death.
 
They prayed for peace of his soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaving family.