Google paid a special homage to missile man A. P. J. Abdul Kalam by displaying a black ribbon on its homepage. The solemn mark of respect on Google India homepage only testifies to the universal appeal the former President exercised on the minds of people, especially the youth, from small-towners to net-savvy urban folks.
Google, known for remembering past icons and marking important occasions and anniversaries through its characteristic doodles, has in the past paid tribute to several Indians, including filmmaker Satyajit Ray, mathematics genius Shakuntala Devi and cine icon Raj Kapoor among others.
For Kalam, perhaps reflecting the simplicity that he stood for all his life, the search giant has used no doodle but just a black ribbon placed below the search tab, and on running the mouse over it reads, In memory of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Tributes have been pouring in from home and abroad to pay respects to the country’s missile man whose life inspires countless Indians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee and host of world leaders including US President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin have joined in paying tribute to the former head of the state. Bihar government has decided to name an agricultural college in Kisanganj after him. Incidentally, Kalam was the brain behind the revival of the Nalanda University.