Kalam's last rites being held with full state honours in Rameswaram

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The casket carrying the body of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was brought to the burial ground here in a gun carriage on Thursday.

Dr. Kalam's funeral is being held with full state honours.

The funeral procession has been joined by thousands of people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, K.Rosiah, the three service chiefs, chief ministers and leaders of various political parties offered poignant salutes, placed wreaths and salutations to the national flag-draped body of Dr. Kalam.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was also present for the last rites of the former president.

Kalam, 83, passed away on Monday in Shillong after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture to students at the Indian Institute of Management.

Tributes have been pouring in from home and abroad for India's "missile man", whose life inspired countless Indians.