Shillong, July 28: The mortal remains of the "People's President" A.P.J. Abdul Kalam were accompanied by Meghalaya governor V. Shanmuganathan, Speaker Abu Taher Mondal and home minister Roshan Warjri to New Delhi today.

Speaking over phone from New Delhi, Warjri, the first woman home minister in the Northeast, said she was exceedingly inspired by Kalam's legendary connect with the people, especially the youth.

"We could see the love of the people for the former President from yesterday's gathering at the hospital where scores of citizens, especially youths, turned up to pay their respects to the departed soul. Even this morning, many people had travelled to Upper Shillong (air force base) to bid adieu to the former head of state," Warjri said.

The trio boarded the air force helicopter from the advanced landing ground. After men in uniform, legislators and others paid homage to the former President, the helicopter left around 5.50am for Guwahati airport. The flying distance was around 20 minutes.

In Guwahati, after homage was paid by various personalities, Kalam's mortal remains were taken on an air force aircraft for Palam airport.

When the aircraft carrying Kalam's body touched down at the Palam airport at 12.44pm, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other dignitaries paid homage to him.

Last evening, as news spread about Kalam having been admitted to Bethany Hospital at Nongrim Hills, the closest to IIM Shillong where he collapsed while delivering a lecture on Creating a Liveable Planet, hundreds of people, especially youths with whom the former President had a special bonding, thronged the area.

Stating that Kalam had died a "teacher's death", Warjri said, "It was very touching that he died last evening doing what he loved doing most - educating young minds."