Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas (MGMNT) organized a candle light vigil condolence meeting to pay tribute to Bharata Ratna, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in Irving. More than 250 people from all walks of life gathered to pay a rich floral tribute to Dr. Kalam.
MGMNT has arranged 83 candles in remembrance of Dr. Kalam’s life.
Dr. Prasad Thotakura, Chairman of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in his message stated that it is a great loss to the entire nation to lose a true pragmatic, patriotic, secular, scholar, scientist, engineer, hero, role model, humanitarian, youth icon, motivational speaker, writer, professor, simple, humble, missile man, Bharat Ratna, the 11th President of India Dr. Avul Paki Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. Even though he is no more with us physically but he will be remembered for generations to come as a gentle, sincere, saintly human being with a full of passion, love and affection towards motherland and as a proud son of Bharat Mata. Dr. Kalam was always interested in interacting with youth to inspire and motivate them to put in right direction in serving India.
“All of us following the qualities of patience, hard work, sincerity and discipline that took Dr. Kalam from a poor family to the highest position of the country is a real tribute to him” Dr. Prasad Thotakura said.
Mr. Taiyab Kundawala, the Co-chair, MGMNT in his opening remarks said that an aeronautics engineer from Madras Institute of Technology, Kalam was considered the brain of missile program in India got and as Chief Scientific Adviser to PM Vajpayee was also instrumental in the Pokhran nuclear test in 1998. He once said “I will work and sweat for a great vision, the vision of transforming India into a developed nation!” And sure he did. “In his passing away, we have lost a great son of India who dedicated his entire life to the welfare of his motherland. Dr. Kalam was a people’s president during his lifetime and will remain so,” Mr. John Hammond,MGMNT Board of Director said that Dr. Kalam receiving more than 40 Honorary Doctoral degrees from different Universities across the globe illustrates his knowledge and wisdom.
Mrs. Shabnam Modgil, MGMNT Board of Director said – It is a great loss to the whole nation especially to the younger generation. May HIS soul rest in peace.
Mr. Jack Godhwani, MGMNT Board of Director said – Dr. Kalam spent his whole life in serving the country in whatever position he was in always his heart and mind was mother India.
MVL Prasad, a local community leader, who worked with Dr. Kalam in 1970s at ISRO, India said Dr. Kalam’s affection, hard work, inspiration and concern for others are remarkable.All ISRO employees had a great opportunity to work with him and dearly miss him.
MGMNT Board of Directors, Shabnam Modgil and Jack Godhwani also paid a rich tribute in their condolence messages. Former DGP of Andhra Pradesh Dr. K. Aravinda Rao recalled his interactions with Dr. Kalam in connection with Lead India, a movement initiated by Dr. Kalam.
Several community leaders from different organizations including Satish Reddy, Ananth Pajjur from ATA, Srikanth Polavarapu, Anil Veerapaneni from TANA, Paresh Patel from BAPS, Neelu Gonuguntla from Indian American Chamber of Commerce, Narasimha Reddy Urimindi, Subbu Jonnalgadda from TANTEX joined the gathering to pay their respects to Dr. Kalam
Taiyab Kundawala thanked City of Irving officials, TV 9, FunAsiA TV, TV 5, Desiplaza media, volunteers Anil Venkat Potturu, Venkat Valleti, Zoher, Satish Punnam and all people who gathered in such a short notice to pay rich tribute to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.