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London, Jul 12: President A P J Abdul Kalam has been chosen for the prestigious British award -- King Charles II Medal -- in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to scientific advances in India.
 
Kalam is only the second head of a state after Japanese Emperor Akihito to be honoured with the award given by the Royal Society.

"President Kalam has led India at a time when science and technology investment in the country has radically increased," said Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society.

"He (Kalam) has played a major part in preparing a road map for transforming India from developing status into a developed nation," Rees said, adding: "As a scientist himself, he (Kalam) has also made a great contribution to scientific advances in his country."

A ceremony to present the medal was slated to be held in Delhi and London on Friday but it has been postponed due to the death of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar.

A fresh date will be decided for the ceremony that will now take place after the Presidential election on July 19, the society said.