Private papers of ex-prez APJ Abdul Kalam donated to National Archives
Kalam, widely known as the 'Missile Man of India' was an eminent scientist and served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.
New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) Former president APJ Abdul Kalam's passport, Aadhaar card, PAN card, original correspondences and lectures delivered at various institutions are among his private papers which have now been acquired by the National Archives of India.
As a custodian of key archives, the National Archives of India (NAI) on Monday acquired the private papers of Kalam, comprising original correspondences, passport, Aadhaar card, PAN card, tour reports, and lectures delivered by him at various universities as well as organisations, officials said.
The collection was donated by APJM Nazema Maraikayar, his niece, and APJMJ Sheik Saleem, grand nephew of of the former president to NAI, they said.
Arun Singhal, Director General, NAI, signed an agreement with Maraikayar at a function, to acquire the collection.
Born on October 15, 1931 in Rameswaram in today's Tamil Nadu, into a humble family, Kalam rose through sheer hard work and determination.
After studying physics and aerospace engineering, he contributed significantly to India's missile development programmes and played a pivotal role in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests of 1998, the NAI said.
Working with organisations like the DRDO and ISRO, he helped strengthen India's defence and space capabilities. His achievements earned him numerous honours, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.
Beyond his scientific contributions, Kalam was deeply passionate about inspiring the youth of India. He authored several influential books such as 'Wings of Fire,' 'Ignited Minds,' and 'India 2020,' all centred around dreaming big and building a stronger nation.
Known as the 'People's President' for his humble and approachable nature, Kalam dedicated his post-presidency years to education and mentoring young minds. His life remains a symbol of simplicity, perseverance, and visionary leadership, the NAI said.
Kalam passed away in July 2015, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
The NAI is the custodian of the non-current records of the government of India and holds them in trust for the use of administrators and researchers, according to the provisions of the Public Records Act, 1993.
Apart from its vast collection of public records, the NAI also houses a rich and ever-growing collection of private papers of eminent Indians from all walks of life, who have made significant contributions to the nation. PTI KND DV DV
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
32 minutes ago
- Mint
Pakistan reacts as PM Modi says Islamabad involved in Pahalgam attack
Pakistan said on Friday it was "dismayed" over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that Islamabad was involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. Commenting on PM Modi's remarks, Pakistan's Foreign Office said it "firmly rejects the baseless and misleading remarks" made by PM Modi. 'We are deeply dismayed that the Indian prime minister has once again chosen to accuse Pakistan of involvement in the Pahalgam attack, without presenting a single piece of credible evidence,' it said in a statement, as per news agency PTI. PM Modi accused Pakistan of targeting "insaniyat and Kashmiriyat" through the terror attack in Pahalgam during his speech in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. PM Modi reiterated that the April 22 Pahalgam attack was a stark example through which Pakistan "intended to incite communal violence in India and cripple the earnings of hardworking Kashmiris". 'What happened in Pahalgam on April 22 is a clear example of this. Pakistan attacked both insaaniyat and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. Its intention was to incite riots in India. Its aim was to stop the earnings of the hardworking people of Kashmir. That's why Pakistan targeted the tourists,' PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Katra after inaugurating the first direct train service to the Kashmir Valley. He added, 'The way the people of Jammu and Kashmir have stood up against Pakistan's conspiracy, the strength shown by the people this time has not only sent a strong message to Pakistan, but also to the entire world's terrorist mindset. Jammu and Kashmir's people have given a powerful response.' Earlier on Friday, the prime minister inaugurated the Chenab bridge and India's first cable-stayed Anji bridge, both symbols of India's engineering excellence, before flagging off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (USBRL) providing direct train connectivity to the Valley. About two weeks after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. (With inputs from agencies)
The Print
3 hours ago
- The Print
Curious case of Zubair Bhat: Kashmiri youth's mysterious death in Delhi, flashpoint in Srinagar
Flanked by Bhat's sister and brother at their residence in Aali Kadal of Srinagar, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, said Bhat had informed his sister about the police taking his Aadhaar card and assaulting him with sticks. Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti Thursday alleged that Bhat was killed after torture and discrimination by the Delhi Police and a hospital in the national capital. New Delhi: A day after allegations of torture, the Delhi Police has denied arresting 30-year-old Srinagar resident Zubair Ahmed Bhat. In fact, they say they got a call from the Safdarjung Hospital only after his admission to the hospital by the personnel attached to the police control room. The police control room, officers claim, had received a call that Zubair was showing symptoms of seizures in front of the residence of a doctor in Lajpat Nagar. 'There is proper proof. He was a 30-year-old man who was the sole breadwinner for the family. He was in the handicrafts business. The family is saying that after he reached Delhi, police personnel at Lajpat Nagar caught and beat him up and repeatedly assaulted him the next day when he went back to take back his Aadhaar card,' Mufti told the press Thursday. 'He was also asked if he was a Kashmiri. Being Kashmiri is enough for people to hang us. What was his fault that he was Kashmiri?' Mufti also alleged that doctors at a Delhi hospital denied him treatment. Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also paid a visit to Bhat's family residence in Srinagar. 'Mirwaiz assured the family that he stands with them and the people in their pursuit of justice for Zubair. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue raising his voice against injustice and to seek accountability, so that such tragic incidents are not repeated,' his office said in a statement Friday. Ms. @IltijaMufti_ speaks to media on Zubair Ahmad Bhat sb's tragic demise in Delhi. — J&K PDP (@jkpdp) June 5, 2025 However, the Delhi Police have refuted the allegations citing no relation and engagement with him in respect to any case or proceedings. South East Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Hemant Tiwari said there was no case or any proceedings ongoing with regards to Bhat and that the police did not question him or arrest him even for a brief period of time. 'The police had no role and link to Bhat. He was neither a suspect nor a stakeholder in any case. He was not at all arrested or even questioned by the police,' DCP Tiwari told ThePrint. PCR call by doctor & suspicion of prolonged drug abuse Explaining the sequence of events leading up to Bhat's death around 11.30 pm on 29 May, Delhi Police officers said Bhat was first noticed the same evening by a doctor in front of her residence in Lajpat Nagar area of the national capital. 'A call was made to the Delhi Police control room at 6.07 pm on 29 May when an eye specialist employed at Safdarjung Hospital spotted him with symptoms of seizures. She made a call saying that an unknown man was in front of her house and also raised suspicion about being a drug addict in the PCR call,' a Delhi Police officer told ThePrint. The PCR team picked him up from the Lajpat Nagar area and admitted him to the Safdarjung Hospital emergency department which recorded 'multiple injection marks on the left cubital fossa (front of elbow joint)' on his body, the Delhi Police officer further said. In the investigation for the treatment, doctors sought urine samples for detection of drug remains in his body, the officer further said. Another police officer said that a preliminary probe conducted so far suggests that Bhat used to be in Delhi for six months a year and was employed by a Lajpat Nagar-based businessman who used to sell Kashmiri shawls at Dilli Haat. 'He used to stay in the ground floor of the accommodation of his employer.' On the morning of 27 May, Bhat had allegedly called his employer seeking Rs 50,000 for shopping for his sister's wedding. After agreeing, the employer asked him to return to his accommodation. However, he did not go there and instead went to a hotel in the national capital but not before buying four strips of Tapentadol for Rs 2,000 from a chemist that he used to visit regularly, the police officer has said. 'Between December last year to May, he has bought Tapentadol, a well-known opioid worth Rs 29,000 from the same shop. He did not stay at his usual accommodation but instead proceeded to stay at a hotel after acquiring the drug,' said another police officer. Police officers said that Bhat's sister called him on the afternoon of 28 May, but he did not take the call. But he messaged her on Whatsapp to tell her that the police had beaten him up 'because he was Kashmiri' and taken his Aadhaar card. 'Shortly after, he said that he was in a hotel,' the officer said, adding there was CCTV footage from the hotel confirming his presence at the time he claimed he was with the Dehi Police. 'Later that night he also had to break open his room door as he had lost his key. Even that incident has been captured in the CCTV footage,' he added. The cause of death has been suspected to be encephalopathy due to drug abuse and 'altered sensorium due to drug intoxication', the police officer further said. Sources said that around 25 people who had gathered around him in Lajpat Nagar area before he was taken to hospital by Delhi Police PCR van have confirmed his status at the time the police arrived. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also Read: What is the 2017 Kotkhai custodial death case that led to life term for Himachal IGP, 7 other cops
Deccan Herald
4 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
June 7, 2025: Best photos from around the world
Badshahi Mosque is visible in the background, as Mudassar, 18, cleans lamps at the Haveli Restaurant one day before the Eid ul-Adha celebrations in Lahore, Pakistan Credit: Reuters Photo Vande Bharat train, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, crosses the Chenab rail bridge, in Reasi district of J&K Credit: PTI Photo Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik makes a sand sculpture on the eve of Eid al-Adha, at Puri beach, in Odisha Credit: PTI Photo Farm workers plant paddy seedlings, at a field on the outskirts of Amritsar Credit: PTI Photo A man pulls his cart amid rainfall, in Patna Credit: PTI Photo
