Nation Pays Tribute To former President Abdul Kalam, Dies At 83 In Shillong

GURGAON, INDIA - JULY 28: School children pay tribute to the former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, at Blue Bells School sector-4, on July 28, 2015 in Gurgaon, India. Kalam, who would have turned 84 in October and was the head of state during 2002-07, died after suffering a massive cardiac arrest at the IIM-Shillong on Monday evening. After being airlifted from Shillong to Guwahati in an air force helicopter, the body was flown to Delhi in a special military flight. Named as the Missile Man of India for his contribution to the ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology, he also played a crucial role in nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998. Kalam was awarded the Padma Bhushan and Bharat Ratna for his achievements. The government has declared a seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect for Dr. Kalam, a renowned missile scientist, who played a stellar role in advancing India's nuclear programme. (Photo by Parveen Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)