Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam International Foundation, recently launched by House of Kalam, re-launched ‘Billion Beats,’ a digital initiative of the former President, here on Saturday, coinciding with the Children’s Day.
“Kalam had launched the e-paper this day in 2007 but could not continue after a year owing to administrative reasons,” A. P. J. M. Naseema, grand niece of Kalam and founder-chairperson of the foundation, said. “After launching the foundation last month to take forward Kalam’s dreams, we have decided to re-launch ‘Billion Beats’ to give shape to his missions and turn his vision 2020 into reality,” she told The Hindu .
Bengaluru-based journalist Ananthakrishnan, who was the editor of the e-paper, would continue to be the editor, she said adding the foundation would ensure that the digital initiative would take Kalam’s missions close to the people. The e-paper was re-launched at a brief function at House of Kalam here and Anusuya, a Class VI student of St Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, handed over the printout to A. P. J. M. Maraikayar, elder brother of Kalam, she said. The foundation plans to sponsor educational needs of the girl who had recently lost her father, Vilvaraj, a fisherman. He drowned while fishing on the high seas. Students from nearby schools, including the primary school where Kalam studied, attended the re-launch function.
Kalam had expressed the desire to re-launch the digital initiative and wanted the same team to handle it from Bengaluru, Ms. Naseema said in a press release. The Kalam Foundation has entered into an arrangement with Inspired Indian Foundation to bring out this monthly e-paper, she said. “Our idea is to concentrate on one activity at a time. We want to initiate result-oriented actions in tune with the philosophy of Kalam,” she added.
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