A statue of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who died last month, was unveiled at the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) here on Monday. Kalam had established RCI, a premier defence laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The statue was unveiled at the residential campus of RCI near the Faculty House where he used to stay when he was the DRDO director.

Distinguished scientists, including NITI Aayog member V.K. Saraswat, scientific advisor to the defence minister G. Satheesh Reddy and DRDO's Director General (Missiles) and Chief Controller Satish Kumar, were present.

The DRDO organised a meeting in memory of the late president.

D. Balasubramanian of L.V. Prasad Eye Institute and scientists, including R.N. Agarwal, Prahlada, S.K. Salwan, and others who had close association with Kalam paid floral tributes.

"My mind is filled with so many memories and so many interactions with Dr. Kalam right from the 1980s. He is the man who the established Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and has seen its transcendence. He is the man who formulated the Integrated Missile Programme of the country and made India emerge as a missile power," said Satheesh Reddy.

"The great visionary's reminiscence and inspirational words will always remain green in hearts and will keep motivating the scientific fraternity to aspire for greater heights and to set new benchmarks in the years to come," he said.

Reddy said the greatest tribute to Kalam would be to fulfill his dreams and realise his vision for the country.

IANS