Indians hold candle light vigil to pay homage to late president |01 August 2015

Members of the Indian community gathered late yesterday afternoon to pay homage to former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam who died on Monday.

Among those gathered at the Indian high commission for the candle light vigil was the high commissioner of India Sanjay Panda and other guests.

Candles were lit next to the Mahatma Gandhi statue in front of the high commission on Francis Rachel Street.

The former president died after collapsing while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management. He was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

The late president was a big inspiration to all Indian communities around the world and also in Seychelles.

He was laid to rest on Thursday with full state honours in his home town Rameswaram amid chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.

Mr Kalam's mortal remains were buried in the middle of a 1.5 acre piece of land earmarked for the purpose at Peikarumbu after being brought from his family mosque where special prayers were offered.

The funeral of the 'Missile Man' was attended by a number of Indian leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who placed a wreath, offered his final salute and stood in silence in front of Mr Kalam's body that was draped in national flag. He also went around the casket with folded hands.