Kalam to be awarded King Charles II medal

New Delhi, July 12: President A P J Abdul Kalam has been nominatedfor the King Charles II Medal by the Royal Society of England inrecognition of his extra - ordinary contribution to the promotion ofscience and technology in Indian society.

President Kalam is the second person to have been selected for the award which is given only to Heads of State.

Japanese Emperor Akihito was the first person who was given the award the year 1998.

A release issued by the British High Commission here today said aceremony, to award the medal, which was to be held in Delhi and Londontomorrow, had been postponed because of the death of former PrimeMinister Chandra Shekhar.

The government has declared a seven-day State mourning in memory of the departed leader.

The ceremony will now be held at a later date after the upcoming Presidential elections in India, the release added.

In a message, Royal Society of England President Lord Martin Reessaid President Kalam had led India at a time when science andtechnology investment in the country had radically increased.

''He has played a major part in preparing a roadmap for transforming India from a developing into a developed nation.

As a scientist himself, he has also made a great contribution to scientific advances in his country,'' Lord Martin Rees said.

UNI