SHILLONG, July 28 � �An illustrious life well led by example. No salute would be enough for this great son of Mother India,� Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan said in his condolence message on the death of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
The Governor termed Kalam as a �dedicated teacher� and shared his grief over the demise of the former President with the rest of the people of the State and country.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, while expressing his �deepest and sincere condolences on the sudden and sad demise� of the former President, declared a State holiday on Tuesday as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
Sangma recalled the former President �as a rare intellectual, capable of charging and captivating young minds across the nation and the globe.�
The Indian Institute of Management where Kalam had gone to deliver his annual lecture, said: �in this moment of utter sense of loss, we write to share with you a brief on the sad demise of Dr Kalam.�
A public meeting for paying homage to the departed soul, will be held tomorrow afternoon at U Soso Tham Auditorium here.
Itanagar Correspondent adds: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa and Chief Minister Nabam Tuki have expressed deep shock and disbelief at the sudden demise of �Bharat Ratna� Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
In his death, India has lost one of the greatest sons ever born and of the greatest scientists and Presidents. The void that has been created by his passing away, would be almost impossible to fill, the Governor observed while conveying profound condolences at his sudden demise.
While terming the death as an irreparable loss to the nation, Arunachal CM Nabam Tuki said: At this moment of extreme grief, I, on behalf of my family, colleagues in the government and people of Arunachal Pradesh convey deepest condolences to the members of his family.
As a mark of respect to the great soul, as per directions from the CM, all offices of the State Government remained closed on Tuesday.
Spl Correspondent adds from Newdelhi: Governor of Nagaland and Assam, PB Acharya has condoled the demise of former President, stating that the human side of his personality was legendary, as was his scientific acumen. Dr Kalam�s contribution to the nation as a prominent scientist, educationist and writer are rememberable and praiseworthy. His death is a great loss to our nation and also to the world.
PTI adds from Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today condoled the death of the former President. In his condolence message, Lal Thanhawla said that he was deeply shocked to learn about the untimely death of the former President.
�I and the people of Mizoram join the nation in mourning the death of a great leader who endeared himself with one and all.
Imphal: Manipur Government today announced a seven-day State mourning in honour of former President, from July 27 to August 2, according to an order issued by the State Government here.
During the mourning period the National flag will be flown at half mast on all buildings across the State, it said adding, there will be no official entertainment during the period.
Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today condoled the death of former President and said his death is an irreparable loss to the nation.
�Students and youths had a separate place in him. As a president he made a mark of speciality,� Sarkar told reporters.
Leader of the opposition Sudip Roy Barman (Cong) and BJP State president Sudhindra Dasgupta also expressed their grief over Kalam�s death.