Guwahati, July 30 (IANS): Assam will soon set up a centre for innovation in the state that will be named after late former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announced on Thursday.

Stating that the centre would come up "soon", Gogoi said it would help engage young minds of the state and the northeast in entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity.

"The proposed centre named after the great scientist, super human being and a teacher par excellence would help ignite the young minds towards entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity, thus helping transform the lives of the common man and bringing smiles on their faces," he said.

Kalam died on Monday in Shillong after suffering a heart attack during a lecture to students of the Indian Institute of Management.

The man who strengthened India's missile programme and played a key role in the country's 1998 nuclear tests -- making him a national hero -- was laid to rest on Thursday in Rameswaram with full military honours.