Hyderabad: The Telangana legislature on Wednesday paid homage to former president of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who died in July.

Members from all parties in both the houses of the state legislature recalled the great services rendered by Kalam to the country both as a scientist and as the president.

On the first day of the monsoon session, both the houses paid tributes to the former president. A minute’s silence was also observed as a mark of respect.

Moving a condolence resolution in the assembly, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said Kalam’s death was a great loss to the nation and to the defence sector. He noted that despite coming from a poor family, Kalam with his sheer hard work and determination achieved great heights and went on to occupy the highest constitutional post.

The chief minister said Kalam left his indelible mark through his contributions in whatever position he served the nation.

Recalling the late leader’s close association with Hyderabad, Rao said the state government had already requested the central government to name Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) in the city after Kalam.

Leader of Opposition K. Jana Reddy said he fully backed the government’s proposal to name DRDL after Kalam in recognition of his outstanding services. The Congress party leader said Kalam brought glory to the nation by developing the missile programme.

E. Dayakar Rao of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), K. Laxman of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ahmed Pasha Khadri of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), and members of other parties also paid tributes to Kalam.