The APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial in Rameshwaram is now open to tourists and pilgrims. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday (July 27), the memorial is not just another museum but a fitting tribute to the Missile Man of India. Located at his birthplace, Pei Karumbu near Rameshwaram on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, the memorial is a walk through the life history of Dr. Kalam. Why the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial is a must visit, is because of the interesting facts below:
The APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial in Rameshwaram is a finest blend of Indian and Mughal architecture. The main entrance of the memorial bears resemblance to the India Gate, and the dome of the memorial is modeled on that of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Both India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan are among the best tourist places to visit in Delhi. The main door of the Abdul Kalam Memorial in Rameshwaram resembles the massive entrance of Thanjavur’s Brihadeshwara Temple.
The memorial bears a testimony to Dr. Abdul Kalam’s contribution to India’s progress in space science. Beautiful replicas of the rockets and missiles, which the Missile Man of India had worked on, are among the things to see at the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial in Rameshwaram.
The portraits of India’s 11th President, Dr. Kalam, are the most eloquent of all the exhibits in the memorial. One particular painting featuring Dr. Kalam playing veena in solitude steals the show at the very first glance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a sculpture of Dr. Kalam with veena in the memorial.
There are as many as 500 portraits depicting the life, career and achievements of Dr. Abdul Kalam from his childhood in Pei Karumbu near Rameshwaram to the ISRO to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in the memorial.
Among the amazing things to see at the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial in Rameshwaram are two life-size statutes of Dr. Kalam in presidential suits. Made of silicon, the statues of Dr. Kalam – one in standing posture and the other in sitting posture – look like wax statues at Madame Tussauds museums.
Built by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) at the cost of INR 20 crore, the APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial in Rameshwaram will get a library, a planetarium and an auditorium in the second phase of the construction.
PM Modi also flagged off ‘Kalam Sandesh Vahini,’ an exhibition bus focused on Dr. Kalam’s Vision 2020. The Kalam Sandesh Vahini will be traveling through different states of India to spread Dr. Kalam’s inspiring messages and visions across the country until the bus reaches the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on October 15, the 86th birth anniversary of the Missile Man of India.
How to Reach Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is approximately 540 km from Chennai International Airport and a 4-hour drive from Madurai Airport. There are many buses and trains from Madurai to Rameshwaram. Moreover, Rameshwaram is an overnight train journey from Chennai City. Indian Eagle Travel books cheap international flights to Chennai (MAA) for overseas Indians and foreign tourists.