Chennai, July 27
Gloom spread through the Hindu pilgrim town of Rameswaram in coastal Tamil Nadu as news came of the death of their illustrious son, former president A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.

Large number of people have gathered at Kalam's house as a mark of respect and also to mourn his death.

Rameswaram is around 600 km from here.

A police official at the site told IANS over phone: "A large number of people have assembled outside the house."

Kalam's relatives are assembled at the house.

The relatives of Kalam are wondering on the possibilities of bringing Kalam's body to his native for last rites, he said.

"We all feel sad at the death of Kalam. He is really a great man. We feel proud to be a native of Rameswaram," a local told IANS.

Tamil Nadu leaders condole Kalam's death

Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah and Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Monday condoled the death of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Expressing shock and grief, Rosaiah said in his condolence message: "He was a people's president whose mission was to network and ignite young Indian minds towards innovation and creativity."

"The nation has lost a great personality, a statesman, a missile scientist and a compassionate human being and a person of simplicity and humanness," Rosaiah said.

"His death is an irreparable loss to the nation, to the state of Tamil Nadu and to the youth and the children of this nation. I convey my sincere condolences to the bereaved members of his family," Rosaiah said.

Expressing her sorrow and grief, Jayalalithaa said: "Former president Kalam was one of the greatest public figures of post independence India. Starting from a very humble background, born into a poor family in Rameswaram, President Kalam rose to the greatest heights through dint of sheer perseverance, hard work and brilliance."

She said Kalam was a great source of inspiration for the people of the country and in particular for children and students.

"He wrote and spoke with great felicity for all Indians and the youth in particular. He became a great youth icon. He touched everyone with his simplicity and grace. He was a true patriot who placed the interests of the country above all else. His mind was full of ideas for harnessing technology for the benefit of the rural poor," she said.