Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to former President Dr AJP Abdul Kalam on his 89th birth anniversary.

He took to Twitter and posted a picture of former president of India, captioning it: "Tributes to Dr Kalam on his Jayanti. India can never forget his indelible contribution towards national development, be it as a scientist and as the President of India. His life journey gives strength to millions." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also tweeted a picture of Bharat Ratna, reading, "Remembering Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his Jayanti. A visionary leader and architect of India's space & missile programmes, who always wanted to build a strong and self-reliant India. His immortal legacy in the field of science and education is an epitome of inspiration."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, Indian National Congress and Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot too remembered late Dr Kalam. Also known as the 'Missile Man', Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was an aerospace scientist and politician who also served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

His birth anniversary was declared as World Students' Day by the United Nations in 2010.