APJ Abdul Kalam a forgotten hero! Animals defecating near his grave

Rameswaram: Months after former president APJ Abdul Kalam's mortal remains were laid to rest at Pei Karumbu burial ground near his hometown Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, the 1.5 acres site is still awaiting a proper memorial.

Dr Kalam, affectionately known as "People's President", was laid to rest on July 30, 2015, with full military honours in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other leaders. A 21-gun salute was also accorded to the former supreme commander of the armed forces and a military band played the haunting 'Last Post'.

Months after the demise of the Bharat Ratna awardee, aerospace and defence journalist Anantha Krishnan, who has now started a Facebook campaign called "Justice4GuruKalam”, told The News Minute: "Five months after his death, the 'People's President' is resting under a tin-shed."

"There are cats and dogs defecating near the spot, visitors who sneak through barricades and take photographs near the grave. There's absolutely no system in place and no decorum either,” he added.

Krishnan added that the family members of Kalam are also disappointed.

"Several members of his family have been buried at a private place which is maintained by the family. It is only because Kalam was a public figure that they agreed to have him buried at a spot which people could visit and where they could pay their respects. The family can't guard it, the government has to do it," said Krishnan.

Kalam played a prominent role in the country's 1998 nuclear weapons tests, Pokhran-II, which made him a national hero. The treatment meted out to him after his demise is unfortunate.