Shillong: India's 11th President APJ Abdul Kalam died on Monday evening at a hospital in Meghalaya at the age of 83, reports NDTV.

The former President had collapsed during the lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, at about 6.30 pm. He was taken to the Bethany hospital. Doctors said he had suffered from a massive cardiac arrest.

‘President Kalam was brought to the hospital at about 7:00pm. When he was brought in there was no sign of life. He was taken to ICU to try and revive him, which was futile,’ hospital sources told NDTV.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, ‘Deeply saddened at the sudden demise of the former president of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He was an inspiration to an entire generation.’

Known as the Missile Man of India, Dr Kalam had played a pivotal role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear test in 1998. One of the most loved Presidents, he was also known as the People's President.

For his achievements, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan and Bharat Ratna, and then he became the 11th President of India in 2002.