Expressing his condolences over the sudden demise of A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi called the former president's death a big loss to the nation.
"When I heard, I could not even believe. The sudden death of Abdul Kalam is very saddening," Dwivedi told ANI.
"For me Kalam wasn't just a person, he was a political treasure. I think that in today's we need people like him, who are also capable of handling different fields apart from politics," he added.
"Kalam was a scientist and his achievements are well known and then he became the President. Perspective of people like him is different from others and it's a big loss."
Kalam passed away in Shillong earlier today after he was admitted to a hospital in the city.
The former president collapsed during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management. He was in a critical condition and had been admitted to the city's Bethany Hospital.
Kalam served as the 11th President on India from 2002 to 2007.
