Government has several options to perpetuate Kalam's memory

Chennai, July 30: In the wake of demands made from different quarters to name or rename various institutions after Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam, there are quite a few options before the government to perpetuate the memory of the late former Indian president.

The central government could consider renaming the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IISST), of which he was a chancellor from day one. It could also lend Kalam's name to a next generation rocket or one of the centres of the Indian space agency to pay tributes to the 'People's President'.

India's space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), could name/rename an institute or a centre under its fold, a rocket under development or a new satellite after the 'Missile Man'.

During his illustrious career, Kalam had worked at ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala where he played a major role in the development of Space Launch Vehicle, a forerunner to the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle that is the most successful Indian rocket.

The government could also name a next-generation Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket after Kalam. ISRO is in the process of developing GSLV-Mark III.

Though the late former president's name could be tagged to a satellite, it has a life span of around 15 years only.

ISRO Propulsion Centre at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelvelli district, around 650 km from here, could be renamed after the former president who was born in Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram town.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told IANS in Kerala that a proposed varsity, the Kerala Technological University, for the promotion of technical education will be named after Kalam.

The exact name will be decided later, as per rules and regulations, he said.

There is also a demand from certain quarters for designating October 15 - Kalam's birthday - as 'National Students Day'.

IANS