Kalam will remain an inspiration to scientists, schoolchildren: MM Joshi

Condoling the demise of former president APJ Abdul Kalam, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Tuesday said the former will remain an inspiration to scientists and schoolchildren across the nation.

"He was an amazingly talented scientist. He played a major role in making India's defence strong. As President of India, he took great interest in the field of education..I have always benefitted from his suggestions," Joshi told ANI.

"He will remain an inspiration to scientists and lakhs of school children of the country. Today, when nation needed 100 Kalams, he left us. I pay my tribute to him," he added.

Kalam passed away in Shillong last evening.

He collapsed after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong yesterday.

The government has declared a seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect for Dr. Kalam, who played a stellar role in advancing India's nuclear programme.

Considered one of the most popular presidents of India, Kalam became the11th head of the state and occupied the post between 2002 and 2007 during the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.