Tamil Nadu's tribute to Kalam: Birthday to be observed as Youth Renaissance Day

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday said an award would be constituted in the name of former President and Bharat Ratna, APJ Abdul Kalam, and his birthday on October 15 will be observed as Youth Renaissance Day every year.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said she had issued directions to constitute a Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award for persons who strive towards promoting scientific growth, humanities and students' welfare and that the award would be given away during the Independence Day celebrations every year. "This was in line with her government's policy of creating a Strong India and Resourceful Tamil Nadu," she said in a statement.

"The award will carry an 8 gram gold medal, Rs 5 lakh in cash and a citation and would be presented to a person hailing from the state," she said, adding it would be given away from this year. "Further, October 15, Kalam's birthday, would henceforth be observed as 'Youth Renaissance Day' by the Tamil Nadu government," she said.

"Abdul Kalam always wanted to remain a teacher. He was a driving force behind the growth of youth by his enlightening remarks that struck a chord with students," Jayalalithaa's statement said while recalling his contributions towards India's growth. "Kalam was a multi-faceted personality, often described as Missile Man and a Nuclear Hero," Jayalalithaa said while tracing his humble origins.

"His hard work and dedication not only made him a veteran scientist, but also the President," she said, adding, "He had a vision that the country should become a superpower by 2020.

Kalam died on July 27 while addressing students at the Indian Institute of Management in Meghalaya's capital, Shillong. He was laid to rest at his native town, Rameswaram, in coastal Tamil Nadu with full state honours on Thursday, with thousands of people attending his funeral, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and a host of other VVIPs.