Rameswaram: In line with the decision to set up a memorial for former president APJ Abdul Kalam, a team of officials from the Centre and state government have visited the place where he was laid to rest in this island town.
The memorial to highlight what Kalam had exemplified in his lifetime, would comprise a library, museum and a meditation centre, said Ganesan, CPWD Executive Engineer and a member of the team that visited the site yesterday.
Preliminary survey of the 1.84 acres of land at Peikarumbu, where the body was laid to rest on July 30, is being conducted now.
"Since the site is situated at a low level we have to bring it to the road level and then build the memorial", he told reporters.
Ganesan said a large number of people are visiting the site now and they have been asked not to plant trees now.
"After the completion of the memorial, tree planting would be done in a beautiful manner," he said.
The official said the area would be fenced before taking up construction work of the memorial.
The demand for setting up a memorial for Kalam at the site had been made by many people including the family members of the former President.
Tamil Nadu government had already announced instituting an award in the name of Kalam besides observing his birthday as 'Youth Renaissance Day'.
The 'Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award' would be given to persons who strive towards promoting scientific growth, humanities and students' welfare, during Independence Day every year, the state government had announced.
The award will carry an 8 gram gold medal, Rs 5 lakh in cash and a citation that would be presented to a person hailing from Tamil Nadu.
The government had also announced that October 15, which is Kalam's birthday, would be observed as 'Youth Renaissance Day'.
Kalam died on July 27 in Shillong and was laid to rest at his native Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu with full state honours on July 30.
