Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said making of a developed India in all fronts by 2022, coinciding with 75th year of Independence, would be the true tribute to be paid to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. 

He dedicated Dr Kalam Memorial at Rameswaram this morning in presence of Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao, chief minister Edapadi K Palaniswamy, Central and State Ministers and other dignitaries.

Later, Prime Minister in a public rally appealed that all 125 crore Indians should contribute to realise the dream of a developed India. In the rally, Mr Modi inaugurated a slew welfare measures and development schemes. 

He distributed sanction letters to fishermen for getting Long Liner Trawlers. For the scheme under the Blue Revolution initiative, the Centre has sanctioned 200 crore rupees towards distributing 300 trawlers in the first phase, and 86 crore rupees has been allocated by the state as its share. 

Prime Minister Modi said the scheme would help Indian fishermen to go deep into the sea and enhance their economic activities besides avoiding crossing international maritime borders that often leads to detention. 

PM Narendra Modi also flagged off a weekly train between the pilgrim centres of Rameswaram and Ayodhya. He dedicated to the nation a 9.5 kilometers long stretch of National Highways linking the Dhanuskodi island with the mainland. Dhanuskodi remained virtually cut off since the devastating cyclone 53 years ago.

In his address, Mr Modi said a progressive India is possible only with the states progressing. He added that the Centre is working closely with all state governments including the Tamil Nadu administration. 

He said Eighteen Thousand Crore rupees has been spent on making lakhs of youth of the nation skilled in the past three years. He expressed hope that the ambitious Sagar Mala scheme would help generate plenty of jobs including those living in coastal areas. 

Mr Modi asked the Tamil Nadu Government to send proposals for housing schemes for the needy and promised that the Centre would consider them favourably. He said an estimated 8 lakh families are in need of housing and added that the Government is spearheading initiatives to meet the need.

Background of the Kalam Memorial

The memorial has been constructed by DRDO in exactly one year. Architecturally, it has taken inspiration from several national landmarks.  The front entrance looks similar to India Gate, while the two domes are on the lines of Rahstrapati Bhavan. 

The Memorial has four main halls each depicting the life and times of Dr Kalam.  Hall-1 focuses on his childhood and educational phase, Hall-2 the Presidential days, including address to Parliament and UN Council, Hall-3 his ISRO and DRDO days and  Hall-4 his post-Presidential days, till he breathed his last at Shillong. 

There is a separate section to exhibit some of the personnel belongings of Dr Kalam, including his famous Rudra Veena, G-suit he wore during his Su-30 MKI flight and numerous awards he received.  Twelve walls have been utilized for murals and paintings. 

The entire area has been landscaped beautifully to reflect the peace and harmony aspect of Dr KalamÂs personality. 

The construction material and other accessories for the Memorial have been shipped to Rameswaram from many parts of India. The crafted front doors are from Thanjavur; stone claddings from Jaisalmer and Agra; stone pillars from Bengaluru; marbles from Karnataka and murals from Hyderabad, Shanti Niketan, Kolkata and Chennai to name a few.