AGARTALA, August 8 (TIWN): Tripura Health Services observe a full working day paying tribute to India’s former President Lt. Abdul Kalam’s death at the office of Directorate of Health Services and Directorate of Family Welfare at Gorkhabosti. “Don’t declare holiday on my death, instead work an extra day if you love me”, said Kalam once the ‘Missile Man of India’. Respecting his views all the doctors and officials at Directorate of health service are working with full enthusiasm, said Parijat Datta, PRO, Dept. Of Health Service to TIWN.

“All the staffs have joined office and nobody missed office today”, added Parijat Datta. He also mentioned that with the initiatives of Tripura Health and Family welfare, Govt. had been asked to permit the working staffs to allow them to work for 1 day during a holiday. “At last we got the permission from the govt. and this is the way we are paying tribute to President Kalam”, said Datta.  

It’s mentionable that at morning 10 am floral tribute had been given to Kalam in the presence of Dr. J.K. Dev Varman, director of health service. Also Dr. K.L. Bhowmik, Dr. Shubhashish Saha and other officials had been present.

It’s to be mentioned that all the employees including the doctors and other officials working in Gurkhabasti office of the Directorate of Health Services and Directorate of Family Welfare and P.M. have unanimously decided not to take any holiday off on second Saturdaywhich is a govt holiday.

 Dr. Koushik Chakroborty said to TIWN “Being a 2nd Saturday, to render the services to pay due respect to the wishes of 'People's President' - Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam employees have dedicated this day in respect of Kalam.”

“It's a great step taken by them which should be applauded by all of us and followed if possible. KUDOS to them for setting an explanatory example”, added Chakroborty.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam borne in 15 October 1931 had breathed his last on 27 July 2015. He was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. A career scientist turned reluctant politician,

Kalam was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering. He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) and was intimately involved in India's civilian space program and military missile development efforts. He thus came to be known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology.

Kalam was elected President of India in 2002 with the support of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Indian National Congress. After serving a term of five years, he returned to his civilian life of education, writing and public service. He was a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.