It’s President Kalam's last week in office. As the ‘People’s President’ prepares to step down, people in his hometown Rameswaram get set for a hearty welcome party.
APJ Abdul Kalam who is known as a distinguished scientist and a popular president is seen as a style icon in his own village in Tamil Nadu. If you find that hard to believe, listen to what a local barber has to tell.
“There are many people who come to my shop asking for Kalam haircut. Though it is little difficult, we do it without charging extra,” says Murugan, a saloon owner.
However, Kalam cult is not just about the saloon with the Kalam cut. The house next to Ramanathaswamthy temple in Rameshwaram is the one where Abdul Kalam spent his earlier years. And the building now becomes a tourist hotspot.
“I really like the simplicity of the house and the President who grew up here,” says Mahesh Bhandarai a tourist.
If that wasn’t enough, you have President Kalam’s elder brother Muthu Meeran Labbai Maraikayar, who patiently poses for pictures outside the house. There is an endless stream of visitors, not only from around the country, but also from different parts of the world.
“People love and respect Kalam, that's why they come here and visit this house,” says Muthu Meeran Labbai Maraikayar, Abdul Kalam's Brother.
After Kalam became the president, his ancestral house became a new sightseeing spot, tells ShehanShah, an auto driver who has been taking tourists for sightseeing for the past 15-years.
“People are really astonished to see that the president has such a small house, at the same time they are also very happy about it. They also thank us for showing the house,” he tells.
So the next time you visit Rameshwaram, remember, there's more than beaches and temples to this ancient town. Many visitors are making this small house and the saloon a part of the pilgrimage.
APJ Abdul Kalam who is known as a distinguished scientist and a popular president is seen as a style icon in his own village in Tamil Nadu. If you find that hard to believe, listen to what a local barber has to tell.
“There are many people who come to my shop asking for Kalam haircut. Though it is little difficult, we do it without charging extra,” says Murugan, a saloon owner.
However, Kalam cult is not just about the saloon with the Kalam cut. The house next to Ramanathaswamthy temple in Rameshwaram is the one where Abdul Kalam spent his earlier years. And the building now becomes a tourist hotspot.
“I really like the simplicity of the house and the President who grew up here,” says Mahesh Bhandarai a tourist.
If that wasn’t enough, you have President Kalam’s elder brother Muthu Meeran Labbai Maraikayar, who patiently poses for pictures outside the house. There is an endless stream of visitors, not only from around the country, but also from different parts of the world.
“People love and respect Kalam, that's why they come here and visit this house,” says Muthu Meeran Labbai Maraikayar, Abdul Kalam's Brother.
After Kalam became the president, his ancestral house became a new sightseeing spot, tells ShehanShah, an auto driver who has been taking tourists for sightseeing for the past 15-years.
“People are really astonished to see that the president has such a small house, at the same time they are also very happy about it. They also thank us for showing the house,” he tells.
So the next time you visit Rameshwaram, remember, there's more than beaches and temples to this ancient town. Many visitors are making this small house and the saloon a part of the pilgrimage.
