Delhi student scheme to be named after Kalam

The Delhi government will name its scheme providing educational loan up to Rs.10 lakh after former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday.

"Education was close to him. The scheme, under which the government is going to give a loan of up to Rs.10 lakh to students, will be named after Abdul Kalam," Kejriwal told the Delhi assembly.

A one-day special session convened to discuss the issue of women's safety in the capital was adjourned for the day to pay homage to Kalam and those killed in the terror attack in Punjab.

The session has been postponed to August 3.

Describing Kalam as "multi-faceted" and "president of the common man", Kejriwal recalled his visit to the Delhi Secretariat on July 2.

"On July 2, he came to Delhi Secretariat to inspire the principals and teachers of schools. After listening to his speech, they got very inspired," he added.

"We wanted to work with him. His departure has created a vaccum," the Aam Aadmi Party leader added.

Kalam died of heart attack on Monday in Shillong while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management. He was 83. - IANS