Chennai today mourned the death of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

City's shops and establishments were completely shut as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary.

Educational institutions ‎and government offices were closed with the State Government declaring a public holiday on the day of Kalam's funeral at his home town in Rameshwaram.

"I have never seen such a public grief to any leader in the recent times. It was a spontaneous reaction of sorrow,'' said Krishnan, 72, a shop owner in the ‎famous Ranganathan Street, which wore a deserted look with all the shops closed.