CHENNAI: In a rare gesture, the Madras high court on Monday announced that it would work 15 minutes extra every day for the rest of the week in memory and honour of former President APJ Abdul Kalam who passed away on July 27.

Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul made the announcement at a condolence meeting organised by the court on Monday evening, when the court closed 75 minutes ahead of the usual closure time of 4.45pm. From Tuesday till Friday, the court will function till 5pm in memory of Kalam, he said. That is, 60 minutes extra in four days.

The Madras high court is one of the few establishments in Tamil Nadu work extra, setting an example for others to follow. Kalam had famously said, "Don't declare a holiday on my death, instead work an extra day if you love me."

READ ALSO: APJ Abdul Kalam: An excellent person

Some other states have been more pro-active in putting in the extra hours to mark their respects to Kalam. In Kerala, a number of government employees worked on Sunday. Though there was no official announcement asking the staff to work during the weekend, the chief minister's office said that those who wanted to work on Sunday voluntarily could do so. Many other establishments had also worked longer hours on Tuesday, the day after Kalam's death.

In Andhra Pradesh , the secretariat and all government establishments worked one extra hour on Tuesday. In schools, the one-hour time was meant for teachers to impart details on life and achievements of Kalam to the students.

Veteran auditor Venkatasivakumar gave a thumbs-up to the decision by the Madras high court and expressed the hope that other institutions would follow suit. "It is certainly a good beginning. The spirit of working is what is required. However, the work that is put in must also be productive," he said.

During his speech at a function organized by the Madras high court on Monday, Chief Justice Kaul said Kalam was born a Muslim, grew up with Hindus and the end came at a Christian hospital in Shillong.

READ ALSO: One is blessed if one can die working: Abdul Kalam

Calling him a people's President, Justice Kaul said Kalam had enough time to spend for young people and to write books, despite his hectic schedule. "Kalam was happy to see joy in other people's faces," he said, recalling an incident wherein a child's parents were happy with his innovative solution to their problems.

Kalam developed fibre calipers weighing just 400g, one-tenth of the usual calipers, which sat easy on the child. Kalam was also impressed with alternative disputes redressal (ADR) schemes such as mediation and conciliation, Justice Kaul said.

READ THIS IN HINDI: कलाम के सम्मान में 1 घंटा ज्यादा काम करेगा मद्रास हाईकोर्ट

