People's president Abdul Kalam

July 28th 2015
Abdul Kalam - People's president 
By Nash 


Popularly known as people's president was a role model to many of us. My daughter Deepthi and myself would have read almost all his books. She was heart broken today on his death and wrote a lovely tribute to Kalam.  Such was the power of this man to inspire people across generations.

He was a true patriot, scientist, nationalist and a very simple human being. 

Three of my favourite kalam stories I tell my children often..

1. When he was president of india..A journalist jocularly asked him.."Sir you are a bachelor why do you need 100 plus bedrooms in rashtrapati bhavan (president palace)". Kalam is supposed to have replied "Those are for the post of president of india. Kalam needs only one room.  I came with one suitcase of clothes and will go back with the same suitcase"

2. After retiring from the president post,  he went back to Anna university in chennai to teach. He refused to stay at a five star hotel and stayed at a simple guest teachers lodge inside the college. And in the class when his students addressed him as president he said "please call me professor"

3. Lastly you must read his book wings of fire. its full of episodes of failures and how he overcomes them. Truly inspirational.

We all know him as president, missile man, rocket scientist, bharat rata etc. 

Lesser known facts about Kalam..he could play the veena,  Recite from both holy Koran and GITA, recite the Thirukkural, pure Vegetarian and a deeply spiritual person.


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