As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days state mourning will be observed throughout the nation from July 27 to August 2. During the period of state mourning, the national flag will fly at half mast on all buildings throughout nation where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment. 

Kalam, 83, was the 11th President of India who held the post from July 25, 2002 to July 25, 2007.

He was a renowned scientist and is considered to be the main brain behind India's space and missile programme. He was also known as India's missile man for ensuring the success of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

Kalam took ill and collapsed at around 6:30 PM at the function. He was rushed to Bethany hospital in Nongrim hills area of Shillong. Doctors tried to revive him but failed to do so. Army doctors were also called but they declared him dead due to a cardiac arrest.

Born in Rameswaram on 15 October 1931, he was brought up by his boatman father Jainulabdeen in a multi-religious environment. He grew up with seven siblings; his mother Ashimma often made chappatis for him, while the others were given rice, since his day would start at 4 amand end at 11 pm.

He spent his growing years dreaming of conquering the space frontiers on the Arabian Sea. His interest in flying led to a degree in aeronautical engineering, and eventually to his supervising the development of India's guided missile program. He went abroad to study only once, in 1963-'64, to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States.

Dr. Kalam played a pivotal role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear test in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974.

He was awarded the Padma Bhushan and Bharat Ratna, and then he became the 11th President of India in 2002; one of the few presidents to have touched the hearts of the poor children in the country. Because he also came from a poor background, he knew the power of education in changing one's future.

President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of former President Dr. Kalam. In a statement, he said, ‘The passing away of former President of India, Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is a deep personal loss for me. I will always cherish my long association with him.’ 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Finance Arun Jaitley also have condoled the passing way of the former President.