Goa Assembly pays tributes to Dr Kalam

PANAJI: The Goa legislative assembly on Tuesday paid glowing tributes to former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who passed away on Monday. After a large number of members had paid their tributes to Dr Kalam supporting a condolatory motion moved by chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, the Speaker of the Goa legislative assembly, Rajendra Arlekar adjourned the House for the day in honour of Dr Kalam.
Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that Dr Kalam’s death was a loss that can never be filled. He said that although Dr Kalam had retired as India President for the last about eight years, he never stopped from interacting with the youth of the country, which he loved to do most. Parsekar said all Indians must emulate him and follow his ideals.
Deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza said Dr Kalam was not just an Indian leader who thought about India but he was concerned about the whole world. "He thought of world peace and held that without peace, there could be no development. Though his death has left an irreparable loss, we must carry forward his ideals," D’Souza said.
Opposition leader Pratapsingh Rane said Dr Kalam was a "great President" of India but still a simple man who took pride in his work. Rane expressed happiness at the memory of personally interacting with Dr Kalam a few years back. "I salute this great son of India," he said.
Legislators cutting across party lines eulogized Dr Kalam and described him in glowing terms like "missile man", "visionary", "great patriot" and an "igniter of youthful minds". The House observed a minutes silence in honour of Dr Kalam before adjourning for the day a little after 1 p.m. on Tuesday.