Abu Dhabi: “Inspirational,” “righteous”, “down to earth” and “a true leader” were some of the qualities residents across the UAE attributed to former Indian president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who died on July 27 following a cardiac arrest in Shillong, India.
Dr Kalam was the 11th President of the Republic of India from 2002 to 2007. He was a multi-talented personality who excelled as a career scientist, great teacher, prolific writer, motivational speaker and a respected statesman inspiring millions of people across the globe.
A condolence book at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi’s alongside the former president’s picture enabled UAE residents to express their sorrow and pay their respects to Dr Kalam.
This was not only limited to Indians residing in the capital; worldwide nationalities too visited the embassy.
“He was such a well-known figure; an inspiration to the whole of India,” Mohammad Yusra Salleh, Brunei Darussalam’s Ambassador to the UAE, told Gulf News.
Dr Kalam accomplished a wealth of goals for India and for the Muslim community and is someone who will eternally remain a role model for the whole world, he added.
Indian resident Manoj Bhatia, a business development head, said: “I was lucky enough to meet him personally. He was so inspirational and although he was a worldwide renowned personality, he still was very down to earth.”
The condolence book will remain open for another day. Residents can express their sympathies in the book at the Embassy’s premises from 9am to 4pm on July 30.
“The book will then be sent to the Ministry of India. The number of remarks will also be shared with the former president’s family,” Mohammad Shahid Alam, second secretary at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News.
At the Indian Consulate in Dubai diplomats, counsellors and Consul-Generals of many countries signed the condolence book in front of his garlanded image at the Consul auditorium, expressing grief at the death of the former president. In their message they described him as a ‘People’s President’ who achieved critical milestones in augmenting India’s defence sector.
Those who arrived early in the morning to sign the book included Consular representatives of Pakistan, Egypt, the US, the Netherlands, South Africa, Canada, Kenya, Korea, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Kuwait.
The Consul General of Pakistan Javed Jalil Khattak wrote: “My sincere condolences on the sad demise of former President APJ Abdul Kalaam who was an eminent scientist, educationist and administrator. As president he left a lasting impact on social and economic development of his country. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by diplomats and residents. The condolence book will be kept open at the Indian Consulate for the public until July 30 from 10am to 1pm. The funeral of Dr Kalam will be held in his hometown Rameshwaram, India on July 30.
The Indian Consulate is holding a Condolence Meeting in honour of Dr Kalam on July 30 at 9.30am at its premises in Bur Dubai.
— Maisoon Moubark is trainee at Gulf News
