Modi praised for touching Abdul Kalam's elder brother's feet at Rameshwaram (Watch Video)

Modi reportedly shows Indian values by touching 99-year-old A.P.J.M. Maraikayar's feet (video below)

Staff correspondent, July 31, 2015, NewsCrunch

PM Modi came under praise for his gesture when he bent to touch the feet of 99-year-old and skullcap-wearing brother of Dr Abdul Kalam, A.P.J.M. Maraikayar.

Modi had gone to attend Dr Kalam's funeral at Rameshwaram. When he saw A.P.J.M. Maraikayar, he went to him and touched his feet. He also sat next to him, holding hands to comfort him.

Modi's gesture was quickly noticed and appreciated on Twitter. Many said they had never seen an Indian PM doing it and praised Modi for his humility.

Some were quick to interpret the gesture and said Modi was not against Muslims. They pointed out that Modi had refused to wear a skullcap in the past as it was just symbolism, but had no qualms in touching the feet of a skullcap-wearing Muslim elder.

A.P.J.M. Maraikayar is Dr Kalam's only surviving sibling. At 99 his memory plays games and he had tough time believing that Dr Kalam had indeed passed away.

The Kalams have lived in a small one-storied house in Rameshwaram for generations.

Video: Watch Modi touching Abdul Kalam's 99-year-old brother's feet at Rameshwaram

Twitter applauds after Modi's gesture to Abdul Kalam's elder brother's feet

Modi refusing a skull cap is news item; his touching Kalam's 99 yr old brother's feet isn't though it is remarkable secular, Indian gesture.

— B. Ravindranath (@bharavindranath) July 31, 2015

No media will show this. Modi touching feet of Kalam's elder brother https://t.co/u4lyFnuhIR

— Abhishek Biswas (@biswasabhishek) July 30, 2015

Modi taking blessings from elder brother of APJ Abdul Kalam. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/fOVcyFc0C2

— Narada Muni (@sagenaradamuni) July 30, 2015

PM Modi touches feet of elder brother of President Kalam ! Dear Sonia ji and Italian company "This is Bhartiyata" learn from PM Modi!

— Tejas Barot (@imTejasBarot) July 30, 2015

Modi stops Dr Kalam's brother from rising & touching his feet. Never seen such humility from an Indian PM. #Respect

— Suraj Balakrishnan (@SurajBala) July 30, 2015

Modi consoling Kalam's 99 yrs old elder brother.This is respect from heart Wearing cap is not respect - its show off pic.twitter.com/TSsdfYPICV

— Hunting_Hunters (@eparitosh) July 30, 2015

Nice gesture by Modi when he touched Dr. Kalam's elder brother's feet in Rameswaram .

— LO KARLO BAAT !!!! (@Varsha_Surbhi) July 30, 2015

PM Modi stops Dr Kalam's brother from rising from his seat and touches his feet. Never seen such humility in a Prime Minister in my life.

— Khaman Dhokla (@khamandhokla) July 30, 2015