Kalam's black stone statue unveiled

"I feel proud to unveil the statue of Bharat Ratna A P J Abdul Kalam who dedicated his life for nation building," Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patanaik said while unveiling the eight feet high statue of the former president.

Speaking on the occasion, state's Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda said the government is keen to develop a tourist circuit comprising Chandipur, Dagara and Talasari coastal beaches under Balasore district. Initial fund has already been allocated for the purpose, he said.

Kalam had a long association with Balasore district. Under his guidance and leadership the present Integrated Test Range, a unit of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was developed to a full fledged test range.

In 2012, while addressing school students as former President at the golden jubilee celebration of a High school in Balasore district on January 7, Kalam had recalled his long association with Balasore and Chandipur.

He had then said,"I spent nearly a decade in Chandipur (ITR) during my service tenure in DRDO in the missile development programme. Chandipur is a beautiful place, the atmosphere is calm and serene. We have a beautiful lake in the ITR and hundreds of birds visiting the lake make it more beautiful."

Kalam had last visited the ITR campus to inaugurate an international seminar on range technology held on November 28, 2006.