RAMANATHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off ‘Kalam 2020 Science Vehicle’, a digital-based mobile museum, while inaugurating the new memorial for Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in Peikarumbu, on July 27.
‘Kalam 2020 Science Vehicle’ was made by the Dr A P J Abdul Kalam International Foundation. It showcases Kalam’s scientific achievements during his school days and while at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Rare photos of Agni Missile and Pokhran-II nuclear bomb test will also be displayed in the vehicle.
Starting from Rameswaram, the vehicle will travel to several states, including Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, and will reach the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in New Delhi on October 15, the birthday of Kalam.
According to officials, the model of Agni-II missile which weighs four-tonne and is 45-feet in height has been set up in Kalam’s memorial.
There is also a seven-foot high bronze statue of Kalam. DRDO has kept Kalam’s favourite lute inside the memorial. It has also set up attractive green areas inside and outside the memorial.
On October 15, 2016, DRDO undertook the project of constructing Kalam’s memorial at Peikarumbu where the former President was laid to rest. It had promised to have the memorial ready before Kalam’s second death anniversary, which falls on July 27, 2017. It completed construction of the memorial in nine months.