‘Kalam was an unconventional Prez, a man of technology’

NEW DELHI: Vice-president M Hamid Ansari on Wednesday said that former President Dr APJ Kalam was a “man of technology” who not only contributed to the progress of defence research organisations but also had a way with younger people and motivated them.

Speaking after releasing the book ‘The People’s President A P J Abdul Kalam’, written by SM Khan who had served as Press Secretary to Dr Kalam during his presidency from 20022007, the Vice President said the book presents an insider’s account of Dr Kalam’s life and was an important document chronicling different aspects of the former President’s life.

“Dr Kalam always showed an eagerness to reach out to the younger generation and students,” he said. It was in July last year that Dr Kalam collapsed following a massive heart attack while delivering a lecture in Shillong.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley described Dr Kalam as an “unconventional President” with an “unconventional mind” who always had a vibrant air of positivity around him.

“He was not cynical and exuded positiveness and was very positive about India’s bright future and wanted to see India as a developed nation by 2020,” the Finance Minister said.

Jaitley also recalled his numerous interactions with Dr Kalam during his presidential tenure at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, saying his style and simplicity charmed the people.

SM Khan said that he had made an attempt in the book to pen down various facets of Dr Kalam’s life during his tenure in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Dr Kalam was an inspiration for scientists and it was his vision of the series of missiles that produced Agni, Prithvi, Trishul and Nag, Khan recalled.