IIM Shillong unveils ex-President Kalam’s statue to mark his final lecture
IIM Shillong has unveiled a bronze statue of former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to commemorate his final lecture delivered at the institute in 2015. The ceremony highlighted his enduring legacy of integrity, innovation, and commitment to sustainable development.
Why it matters
The statue serves as a symbolic reminder of Dr. Kalam's influence on Indian education and his vision for a sustainable future.
The Indian Institute of Management, Shillong (IIM Shillong), on Monday (July 27, 2026) unveiled an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of former President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, to commemorate his final lecture at the institute.
Kalam collapsed while delivering a lecture at the IIM’s temporary campus in Shillong’s Nongthymmai area on July 27, 2015. He died at a hospital soon after.
The institute shifted to its expansive permanent campus at Umsawli on the outskirts of the Meghalaya capital.
Shishir Kumar Bajoria, the Chairman of the institute’s Board of Governors (BoG), unveiled the statue, emphasising that Dr Kalam’s ideals of integrity, innovation, and service to society continued to inspire the institute.
“The statue stands as a symbol of Dr Kalam’s towering contribution to the nation and his lifelong dedication towards education, innovation, and scientific advancement,” a statement from IIM Shillong said.
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