The family members of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam have requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare October 15, the birth day of the “People’s President” as the National Students Day.
Mr. Modi who arrived here on Thursday to take part in the funeral of Kalam, asked Kalam’s elder brother A.P.J.M. Maraikayar, who was seated next to him what he could do for them. As the grief-stricken Mr. Maraikayar could not speak, family members requested the Prime Minister to declare his birthday as National Students Day, Sheik Saleem, grandson of Kalam, told The Hindu .
The Prime Minister responded positively but said the demand could not be conceded immediately in this situation, he said. “The Prime Minister gave us hope that our wishes would be fulfilled,” he said. Kalam was born on October 15, 1931.
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Kalam had a special love for the students and easily mingled with them whenever he visited a school or college. None of his function ended without him interacting with the students in a question and answer session.
He often asked students to dream big and aim higher to achieve their goals. He also exhorted them to work hard to acquire knowledge. The students should set ambitions and work hard to achieve them, he would advise.