New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee's wife, who was admitted to the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) here, was in a "very critical" condition, hospital sources said on Tuesday.

Suvra Mukherjee, who suffers from a respiratory problem, was ill for some time. She was admitted to the hospital on Friday evening.

"Her condition is very critical. This is all we can say at this point of time," a hospital source said.

The president's wife is a heart patient and has been kept in the intensive care unit.

New Delhi: President, Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated new facilities in the Shopping Complex of the President's Estate today.

The Shakti Haat, a marketing outlet for Self Help Groups (SHGs) of Rashtrapati Bhavan, has been shifted to a newly renovated shop in the Shopping Complex. In the Shakti Haat, the SHGs market their products like homemade masalas, organic compost and handmade envelopes.

The members of SHGs are wives of employees of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Apart from this, the courtyard of the shop will be used as a training centre for sewing and girls who get trained in the Centre would offer their tailoring services to the residents of the Estate.

The "Arjunaa" will be a dedicated area for the residents of President's Estate to sell their produce such as vegetables, fruits, eatables, snacks, pickles, artefacts, garments etc.

After demolishing unauthorized shops/stalls, the area adjoining the Shopping Complex has been redeveloped for being utilized in this manner. This will further help fulfill the needs of the residents of the President's Estate.

Rameswaram (TN): The mortal remains of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who died on Monday, were taken from his ancestral house here to the local mosque ahead of the funeral as thousands of mourners -- young and old -- poured into the island town to pay their last respects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and a host of other dignitaries, including and chief ministers of some states, will be taking part in the last rites to be held around 11 am after 'Namaz-e-Janaza'.

The body of 83-year-old Kalam, who passed away in Shillong on Monday, was taken from the house around 9.30 am to the mosque by the personnel of three services with the casket covered with traditional green shawl.

At the mosque, the Aalin or the chief priest would read out special prayer and speak about the former president, who grew up from this island.

Later, it would be taken to the place of burial where prayers would be offered again.

The body of the "Missile Man" was brought to his house on the narrow Pallivasal Street around 10 pm last night after lying in state and left in the privacy of his family till this morning.

Thousands of mourners kept pouring through the night by various transport including buses, trains and boats to attend the last rites and many of them even slept on the roads last night.

Shops, business establishments and hotels remained shut in the town and throughout Tamil Nadu as a mark of respect to the late leader fondly called the "People's President".

Police said tight security arrangements have been made in and around the town and Navy, Coast Guard and marine police personnel deployed in the sea.

Tamil Nadu Government has declared a public holiday today as a mark of respect to Kalam.

Several people were seen holding the national tri-colour as they waited in the jam-packed streets around Kalam's house to have a last glimpse of their hero. Many were perched on the terraces of buildings.

The burial will be at Peikarumbu here where about 1.5 acre had been allocated for the purpose.

Slogans of "Bharat Mata ki jai" rent the air as the body was taken in flower-bedecked carriage to the burial site, about 3.5 km from the mosque, accompanied by the personnel of three services.

Kalam's family members, including his eldest sister 99-year-old Mohammed Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraicker accompanied the body.

Washington: US President Barack Obama today extended his condolences on the death of former president APJ Abdul Kalam, saying he was an inspiration to millions who worked to deepen space cooperation between the two countries.

"On behalf of the American people, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the people of India on the passing of former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam," Obama said in a statement. "A scientist and statesman, Dr Kalam rose from humble beginnings to become one of India's most accomplished leaders, earning esteem at home and abroad," said Obama, who is visiting Africa.

An advocate for stronger US-India relations, Kalam worked to deepen our space cooperation, forging links with NASA during a 1962 visit to the United States, he said. "His tenure as India's 11th president witnessed unprecedented growth in US-India ties. "Suitably named 'the People's President,' Dr Kalam's humility and dedication to public service served as an inspiration to millions of Indians and admirers around the world," Obama said.

Moodabidri: Purasabha cancelled the session that was to be held on Tuesday due to untimely demise of former president Abdul Kalam and instead organised a tribute meet.

Speaking on the occasion MUDA president Suresh Kotian suggested to name the Rotary school, Babu Rajendra school road in 15th ward after Abdul Kalam.

Purasabha president Roopa S. Shetty, former president Supriya D. Shetty, members Haneef Alangar, revenue officer Dhananjaya spoke about the demised soul.

Mangaluru: ICYM, Mangaluru diocese at Kadri War Memorial here paid tribute to former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on Tuesday July 28.

Addresing the gathering, MLA J R Lobo said, "Dr Abdul Kalam brought honour to the post of the President. He loved children and youth. he was very active till his death. He is no more but his values and memories stay with us forever. When we all adopt his values, only then can we truly pay tribute to him".

MLC Ivan D'Souza spoke on the occasion and louded ICYM for taking initiative to raise funds for the cancer patient.

The gathering also lit candles to pay homage to Dr Kalam.

ICYM volunteers collected funds for the medical treatment of 8-year-old Navyashree, a cancer patient on this occasion.

Navyashree requires Rs 2.5 lac for treatment. The ICYM members urged Ivan D'Souza to help her, and in response, the MLC asked them to submit the relevant documents to him and promised to approach the chief minister to grant funds of at least Rs one lakh.


ICYM Mangaluru director Fr Ronald, President Alwyn D'Souza, secretary Jackson D'Costa and relative of the girl Hemanth Kumar were present.

Bengaluru: President Pranab Mukherjee flew back to Delhi on Tuesday morning, cutting short his visit to Karnataka following the sudden death of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Shillong on Monday night.

"The president is returning to Delhi on Tuesday morning instead of evening, cancelling his programmes during the day," a protocol official told IANS. The president is on overnight stay at Raj Bhavan in the city centre.

Mukherjee was on a two-day visit to this southern state for attending a few events at Mysuru, Bengaluru and Kalaburgi in the state's northern region.
"With the central government declaring a seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect to Kalam, the president is constrained to cancel two events he was to attend on the second day of his state visit,"
the official said.

Mukherjee was to fly to Kalaburgi via Bidar to preside over the Central University of Karnataka's second annual convocation.
"Returning here later in the day, the president was to dedicate to the nation the renovated heritage building and magneto encephalography research centre of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences," the official said.

On the first day of his visit, Mukherjee heralded the year-long centenary celebrations of University of Mysore at Mysuru, about 140km from here, and then flew into the city and inaugurated the centenary year of
the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Vidhana Soudha in the city centre.
"The passing away of Kalam was conveyed to the president after he came to Raj Bhavan from Vidhana Souda for overnight stay," the official added.

Guwahati: The body of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who died in Shillong last evening, was carried to New Delhi early this morning by a special aircraft from here, as senior leaders and a host of officials joined in paying tribute to the country's 'missile man'. Last respects were paid to the late former President at the tarmac of the Lokapriya Gopinath Borodoloi International Airport after his body was brought to Guwahati from Shillong by an Air Force helicopter at around 6:15 am.

Meghalaya Governor V Shanmughanathan travelled alongside as the body was ferried to Guwahati and later paid floral tributes to the Bharat Ratna.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led the state in paying respect to Kalam, calling Kalam's death an "irreparable loss" to the nation.

"It is an irreparable loss to the nation. He loved children, he loved the nation. I have met him many times. I took him to rural areas of Assam. He was a very simple and honest man. Along with India, entire state is mourning his death," Gogoi said.

Kalam was one of the most popular faces of the country and he was "young in spirit till his last moment", he said.
Former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta also paid his respect to Kalam, the 'people's President'.

Host of senior Assam government officials, including Chief Secretary V K Pipersenia, DGP Khagen Sarma, Additional Chief Secretary MGVK Bhanu, Home Commissiner LS Changsan and Guwahati Police Commissioner Mukesh Agrawal too joined in paying rich tribute to the late former President.

Many senior officials from the Army and Air Force were present on the occasion and also paid their respect to the 'missile man' of the country.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Anjan Dutta and other senior party leaders were also present and paid their respects.

After keeping it for about an hour and fifteen minutes at Guwahati, the body of Kalam was then flown to the national capital in the special aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

Kalam, who would have turned 84 in October died after suffering a massive cardiac arrest during a lecture at the IIM Shillong yesterday.

He 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.

The body of the late former president was shifted from Bethania Hospital, where he breathed his last, to the Military Hospital in Shillong, Defence Public Relations Officer Amit Mahajan said.

The Union Cabinet is to hold a special meeting in New Delhi today to condole his death. The date, place and time of his funeral would also be decided today.

The government has announced a seven-day state morning in honour of Kalam, who became affectionately known as the 'people's President.