PM Narendra Modi paid a glowing tribute to former President APJ Abdul Kalam in an op-ed article shared with leading dailies including Hindustan Times, Times of India and Dainik Jagran calling him his ‘marg darshak’ or guide who epitomised the values of self-restraint, sacrifice and compassion.
The Prime Minister in his article said Bharat has lost a Ratna, but the light from this jewel will guide us towards APJ Abdul Kalam’s dream-destination: India as a knowledge superpower, in the first rank of nations.
He writes the scientist-President never measured success by material possessions.
“As a hero of our defence programme, he shifted horizons; and as a seer of the spirit, he sought to liberate doctrine from the narrow confines of partisan tension to the transcendental space of harmony”.
The Prime Minister writes, Dr. Kalam’s vision for the nation was anchored in freedom, development and strength.
He wanted India to leap out of the under-developed trough, and eliminate the curse of poverty through inclusive economic growth.