One needs to admire A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for his phenomenal rise — from a rural town to the pinnacle. He retained a childlike curiosity till his end. His last interaction, while with students, is a fine example of his attachment towards our youth. His achievements have always ensured that India has held its head high. His simplicity, honesty and people skills were inimitable.
M. Raajaraman,
Karaikal
Mr. Kalam had the rare distinction of being a scientist who contributed to the progress of developments in space, defence and atomic energy. No other President or head of a state has this distinction. His simple but powerful speeches and inspiring writing have always ignited young minds. His remarkable efforts in combating rumours and dispelling doubts about the significance of the Kudankulam nuclear power project and the neutrino observatory near Theni cannot be forgotten. His inspiring life history, writing and speeches should be included in all textbooks. Awards should be instituted in his name to honour meritorious and talented students. The best tribute to this great motivator lies in these measures.
A.V. Ramanathan,
Chennai
The sudden passing of Mr. Kalam comes as a rude shock to millions of his well-wishers. His love for children is what made him dedicate his book, Ignited Minds , to a child who once impressed him with her answer to his query, “who is our enemy?” The answer: “Poverty.” The nation has lost a great visionary and an outstanding technocrat.
G. Charumathi,
Chennai
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam came across to all as a fine gentleman, an apolitical personality and a true human being with his simplicity and natural characteristics of head and heart. He was a renowned scientist in his own right and greatly instrumental in spreading a scientific temper and a spirit of inquiry. His passing is a great loss to the country on the threshold of leaping into the future with great hopes.
V. Padmanabhan,
Bengaluru
In the passing of Mr. Kalam, India has lost one of its tallest sons of the 21st century whose ideas, life and works will continue to inspire generations to come. “India’s Missile Man” and “the People’s President” brought a life and dignity to everything he did and every position he held. As he wished so he lived — a teacher throughout his life till his last breath. He not only had a vision for a developed India but had a blueprint of how to achieve this within a time frame.
Manzar Imam,
New Delhi
The Union government has taken the right step of declaring weeklong national mourning, but no holiday. It was the great man’s wish that no holiday be declared upon his demise; rather, an extra hour of work be done.
Brinda Singh,
New Delhi
I was once interviewed by Mr. Kalam for a job at VSSC while he was basking in the glory of the successful SLV-3 launch. The incomparable Kalam will continue to shine with his incandescent luminosity through his every act in life, true to the epithets and sobriquets he assumed in his journey on this earth.
I recall Einstein’s words about Mahatma Gandhi: “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a man ever walked upon this Earth.”
G. John,
Dehradun
