Responding to a Change.org petition asking for a Knowledge Centre to be built at the late Dr. APJ Kalam’s erstwhile Union government residence at Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, the AAP-led Delhi government has announced that they will bring back Kalam’s books and documents back to Delhi and set up a Knowledge Centre at a suitable location in the city.
Dr. Kalam’s residence, at no. 10 Rajaji Marg, was allotted to Culture minister Mahesh Sharma, following which there were protests. You can read about it here. Kalam’s belongings were then shifted to his family home in Rameshwaram.
In a press release, Delhi government’s Minister for Culture and Tourism Kapil Mishra said,
On behalf of the Delhi Government, I consider it a huge privilege to announce that based on Dr Kalam’s family’s consent letter to the Honourable Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Arvind Kejriwal dated November 11, 2015, we have decided bring Dr. Kalam’s legacy, books and possessions to New Delhi.
As per the family’s request, the Delhi government is ready to bring back all of Dr.Kalam's books and possessions that were sent away from his 10, Rajaji Marg residence in Delhi. This will first begin by an exhibition at Delhi Haat INA with a creative presentation of his memories and heritage. This will be a temporary home for the public to visit one of the country’s most loveable Presidents. In the next few months, we will help set up the Research and Knowledge Center that Dr. Kalam would have truly loved to be his resting place, in the hearts and minds of people.
A three-member committee consisting of Chandramohan Bassi, Senior Chief Manager at DTTDC; Sanjay Garg from Delhi Archives and BS Vasisht, Deputy Secretary of Art, Culture and Languages Ministry has been set up to facilitate this transfer of Dr. Kalam’s memories to its rightful place, New Delhi.
Taking a dig at the NDA government at the centre, he said, “Despite repeated requests from family members and various other sections of the society, the Central Government evacuated Dr. Kalam’s house. But the Delhi Government wants to ensure that late President Dr. Kalam's legacy is respected and given the rightful honour.”
Officials from the Ministry of Art and Culture will soon visit Dr Kalam’s house in Rameswaram to assess the quantity of his possessions and books and make necessary arrangements in consultation with Dr Kalam’s family to move his belongings to Delhi as soon as possible, the minister said.