Dr Arun K Tiwari, who had a 34 year-long colourful, memorable association with the former President APJ Abdul Kalam, as his speech writer and the co-author of five books, spoke to Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com after reaching Rameswaram with the coffin.


"Just met Dr Kalam's 99-year-old brother APJ Marakayar. He held my hand in silence for many minutes. No words to describe the pain in his eyes. I gave him a rosary sent by Pramukh Swamiji [of the Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha] as parting gift to his friend Dr Kalam.


"Marakayar Sir kept looking at the rosary for many minutes and then said 'Let it be buried tomorrow with my brother'.

"In a few hours from now Sir's mortal remains will also vanish from our sight. May Dr Kalam's soul rest in peace and we all take his ideals forward in our lives."


Picture: Dr Arun Tiwari with APJ Kalam's brother APJ Marakayar

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