Rameswaram town in Tamil Naidu has been included in Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformatin (AMRUT) for providing basic urban infrastructure. This was announced by the Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu while speaking on the occasion of 84th birth anniversary of former President Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam at a programme organized at DRDO here today. The Ministry has so far identified 497 cities and towns under Atal Mission under which basic infrastructure is to be developed in 500 cities and towns. Rameswaram is the 498th to be included in the Mission. With the addition of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu would have 32 cities and towns under Atal Mission.
A Committee comprising of Union Ministers Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu, Shri Manohar Parrikar, Shri Pon Radhakrishnan and former Chief Election Commissioner Shri N.Gopalaswamy will work out the details of a Memorial for Dr.Kalam at Rameswaram. This Committee will consult all concerned before giving a final shape to the Memorial. Tamil Nadu Government assured the Ministry of Urban Development that land for memorial will be made available at the place in Rameswaram where the mortal remains of the former President were laid to rest.
Speaking on the occasion of birth anniversary of Dr.Abdul Kalam, Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu described him as a “Yogi who was detached from material life but passionate about the country, its people and their future. He was a great scientist and at the same time spiritual. He was the Missile Man but always thought of the poor and their problems. He was the President who always reached out to the students and the young igniting their minds and giving wings to their dreams”. Quoting Dr.Kalam saying “We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generations a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilizational heritage”, Shri Naidu said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is committed to fulfill this vision and mission of the former President.