Spread over 2.11 acres of land, the Abdul Kalam Memorial was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017. The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) initiated the construction of the memorial to pay tribute to India’s missile man. Construction of the memorial began on the burial ground where Dr Kalam was laid to rest in 2015. 

The memorial has been structured through careful planning, taking into consideration Dr Kalam’s interests and likes. The entrance of the main gate looks similar to the India Gate, which also has a touch of the Chettinad style resembling the door of Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. The main dome is a replica of the Rashtrapathi Bhavan. There is also a bronze statue of Dr Kalam playing the veena. 

The memorial consists of four halls that reflect various facets of Dr Kalam’s life, including the Pokhran atomic test. There are replicas of rockets, missiles and paintings all of which highlight his association with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). 

The garden outside the memorial resembles a Mughal Garden and is decorated with plants brought from Bangalore, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. There are also other hand picked blossoms that accord with Dr Kalam’s taste. 

This exemplary memorial and the well-thought-out efforts behind each segment was completed only in 25 days’ time. 

The second phase of the memorial will incorporate a library, a planetarium and an auditorium.