Nation Pays Tribute To former President Abdul Kalam, Dies At 83 In Shillong

MUMBAI, INDIA - JULY 28: School children pray during a condolence ceremony for former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at Sane Guruji English Medium High School, Dadar on July 28, 2015 in Mumbai, India. Kalam, who would have turned 84 in October and was the head of state during 2002-07, died after suffering a massive cardiac arrest at the IIM-Shillong on Monday evening. After being airlifted from Shillong to Guwahati in an air force helicopter, the body was flown to Delhi in a special military flight. Named as the Missile Man of India for his contribution to the ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology, he also played a crucial role in nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998. Kalam was awarded the Padma Bhushan and Bharat Ratna for his achievements. The government has declared a seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect for Dr. Kalam, a renowned missile scientist, who played a stellar role in advancing India's nuclear programme. (Photo by Kunal Patil/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)