AGARTALA, July 28(TIWN): Governor Tathagata Roy and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Tuesday morning expressed their profound grieves over the death of former President A P J Abdul Kalam.

In his condolence message, Roy said that Kalam was not only a scientist, but also a person of resourceful talent as well an able administrator. Governor said that the country will suffer an irreparable loss with the sudden death of the missile man APJ Abdul Kalam.

A role model for students and young people Kalam was always happy to be among them and educational institutions. He breathed his last in the premises of an educational institution, added Roy.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar expressed grief over the sudden demise of former president APJ Adbul Kalam.  The 'missile man' who came to be known as 'People's President' of India is no more.

“I am shocked over the death of the former president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam”, he was an inspiration to an entire generation, deeply saddened at the sudden demise”, Says CM Manik Sarkar.

It is a great loss not only for India but also for the entire world as APJ Abdul Kalam was a great scientist. Up to the end he was very lively and was always keen for the development of the nation. It is also a great loss to the entire mankind, added Sarkar.

Kalam, who would have turned 84 in October, was confirmed dead more than two hours after he was wheeled into the ICU of Bethany hospital in a critical condition following the collapse at around 6.30 pm.

According to reports, Kalam suffered a massive cardiac arrest during the lecture at IIM, Shillong.

Considered the most popular President, Kalam became the 11th head of the state and occupied the post between 2002 and 2007 but lack of consensus denied a second term in office for a man who came from outside political spectrum.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam rose from humble origins to become the President in the most unexpected manner during the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee after an all party consensus minus the left parties that saw him through in an election which he won handsomely.

Kalam served as president for five years from 2002, enjoying the support of both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.

Kalam was closely involved in the country's civilian space programme and military missile development efforts, earning him the sobriquet ‘India’s Missile Man'.  He worked as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) before he became president.

He also played a pivotal technical and political role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, shortly after the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came to power.

After his term, he returned to a life of education, writing, and public service. He received several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor.

Condoling Kalam’s death and paying respect towards the former president, both Governor and CM said the former president had dedicated his entire life to nation building.