FOR THE PEOPLE’S LEADER
Director general, registrar of newspapers for India, SM Khan turned author with a book on late President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam. Titled, The People’s President APJ Abdul Kalam, the book was officially launched by vice president of India, Mohammad Hamid Ansari in the Capital on Wednesday. Khan served the former President in the capacity of a press secretary. “The book is an attempt to portray some facets of his life, as well as his tenure as President of India which made him a role model for many Indians,” Khan said.
He decided to pen the book after an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2015. “In the book, I have tried to bring out his quality of humanism and accessibility to people. The chapters where I’ve shared his interactions with students and those on his humanist side were the most enjoyable to write,” he said.
Ansari said, “It’s an insider’s account, which makes it invaluable. The country knows the late president as a man of technology, but the more important thing about him is that he had a way with people.”
Sharing stories from his office, Khan said, “He always used to tell us that ‘I’ll preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of India.’ He was also a humorous man. When a student asked him about his view on population growth, he said, “Look, I am innocent.” Finance minister, Arun Jaitley said, “Khan was like a shadow, observing from the sidelines, making notes conscientiously. I think what charmed the whole country about Dr Kalam was his positivity.”