Thousands throng Kalam memorial daily

About 10,000 people visit former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's memorial everyday.

"In addition, around 2,000 people visit Kalam's old home, which has been converted into a museum," A.J.M.J. Sheik Saleem, the former president's brother's grandson, told IANS.

"The number goes up by a couple of thousands when tourist inflow goes up," he added.

"Today Kalam's burial site here is a must visit place in a tourist's itinerary," said an autorickshaw driver V. Senthil.

Born in Rameswaram, around 560 km from Chennai, on October 15, 1931, Kalam, as a boy, hawked newspapers to supplement his family's income. His father owned a boat and his mother struggled constantly to keep the family fed and clothed.

 

Saleem, who recently joined the BJP, said Kalam always encouraged youths to embrace politics.