After frustration over delay in Kalam memorial, finally some movement from govt

While Rameswaram is unhappy with the treatment meted out to the man who gave India’s its nuclear programme, Dawood says there is a police constable guarding the grave all the time. “But we request the government to fast-track the process of building the memorial,” he said.

Kalam’s brother A P J M Maraikayar has started a petition asking for people’s help to push the government to initiate work on the promised memorial. “I am 99 years old and cannot run after them to make this happen. I need your support. This is the wish of every Indian,” he wrote in his petition.

On October 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the building of a memorial for Dr Kalam and in November Union Ministers proposed to construct different segments showing his life, achievements and interests. The government has allotted 1.5 acres of land for the plan. “Yesterday, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan met my cousin Salim and told him that he intends to extend land to 3 acres as required for the vision,” said Dawood.

A lot of Facebook pages have been created to voice concerns over the pitiable state of the burial site and people who come to visit his grave are disappointed at the sight. Many posted their grievance about the situation on the Facebook group called Justice4GuruKalam created by Dr Kalam’s followers.

“I think if Govt. is not coming forward for building it, then we, people of India can donate to build such a memorial…I suggest to start donation campaign and public will build the memorial far earlier than the govt. files moves,” wrote one of them.

“We are not complaining, we are just requesting the authorities to do something they had promised. Dr. Kalam deserved a memorial,” concluded Dawood.