Dear Dr Kalam...

Greetings and salutations from an alumnus of your Alma Mater.

In 2002, you brought a whiff of change to India's topmost office. As President, you represented Change in so many ways - as an apolitical figure, as a Net-savvy technocrat, as a writer and most of all as an Indian citizen who felt as one among the masses and understood only too well their sufferings - in fact the perfect QRs of a leader of a democracy.

If only the position of India's President had had teeth, instead of being a mere trinket in India's political and governance framework. You would have set the precedence for the kind of Change that Barack Obama hopes to bring about in another democracy. It is not a waste of time to imagine - wistfully now - the possible changes that could have taken place from grassroots right up to the Executive in those five years when the entire Indian defence services proudly saluted you as their Supreme Commander.

A few days ago, I tried to put together my list of Ideal 552 for the Lok Sabha, and that list most naturally starts off with you, Dr Kalam. Though at present the list has just 5% of the numbers that are supposed to fill the Lok Sabha, I'd like to think that a workable cabinet is visible therein.

This is just an attempt at a possible, nay probable picture. You are not a politician, but as the Statesman that you are, your presence at the helm, as the Power that be, may encourage a largely indifferent bureaucracy to open their eyes, re-read the Constitution and make real efforts to abide by it, as they start to take in the current reality, and purport of 'We, the People of...'

Jai Hind!
40119
****************************
Dr Kalam signs a copy of Wings of Fire

Comments

  1. Claps for the post and information.

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  2. I love dr. KALAM!!! For everything he is, and especially for his vision! I loved The wings of Fire, which i read only too recently. I hope he had continued as president.

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  3. I've just voted in Indrani's blog for Presedential rule and wanted this GREAT MAN to rule this country and take it to dizzy heights.

    Was delighted to read your blog which vociferously voices that.

    Jai Hind!

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  4. It is Mr Kalam. He does not have an 'earned' doctorate but only honourary ones. Strictly decorative. It is all very well praising him, but what was his contribution as a president? He was a compromise candidate, the third muslim to hold this postion, after Vajpayee's first nominee for the president was rejected by Sonia Gandhi! If anything, Sonia has been the defacto president and prime minister of India for some years. What was the change you are talking about? Him not being a politician? In my younger days there was Prof S. Radhakrishnan, a towering figure, physically and intellectually. British Queen's Order of Merit holder, a philosopher of immense status and above all, some one who was able to stand upto Nehru when VKK Menon failed India at the time of Chinese invasion.

    Purpose of this posting? Is it your copy Kalam signing or you were an alumnus of St Joseph's or MIT in Madras? If you want to link St Joseph's, best to mention Father Lee the legendary principal in pre-independence days.

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  5. Raji, Kat, Manu - thanks
    Manu - At two places - the very first and last lines, the name of the Alma Mater (MIT, Chennai) is evident if you let the mouse hover over the links.
    And yes, that is my copy of the book. (The link will lead you to an anecdote recorded elsewhere).

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  6. Interesting post Swarna. Just that people like Abdul Kalam are alive and are able to make a difference ( whoever knew the President before ) and inspire people is a boost to all of us.

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  7. Kallu, that's a good point.

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  8. Wonderful post Latha.

    Even though our system doesn't provide teeth to the President, I think he has brought wave after wave of awareness and love, for this country as never before.

    And I think, his method was great. He reached out to the people spelling out a vision for our countrymen and kindling a fire in their hearts.

    Was impressed reading your article in 2004 and it's great to possess the wings-of-fire autographed by Dr Kalam.

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  9. Kat, you are right.
    (BTW that incident dates to March 2002, before he was even thought of for the august post of President of India).

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  10. Well written. Though whenever i hear someone say Kalam couldve done a better job, I always ask them when was the last time they refrained from giving a bribe to get some work done, that extra meter charge that we comply to just coz we're in a hurry or .. oh well i'll stop ranting now :P. Well written again :)

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  11. Marina, yes, I agree that we all need to introspect and could do with a change for the better

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