Shame India: A shed for Bharat Ratna? This how we treat a People's President!

Cows, dogs defecate near Kalam’s kabar in Rameswaram | Memorial work at snail’s pace | Politicians being blame game | Centre's lukewarm response hurts family

Defecation by stray animals has become a regular affair at the kabar.

Visitors sneak through the barricades often to take photographs.

Kalam’s kabar inside a makeshift shelter.

File photo of the kabar on the day of Dr Kalam’s burial. 

   By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Rameswaram, Dec 20: Five months after the demise of former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, his burial place (kabar) at Pei Karumbu in Rameswaram remains neglected. The work for the proposed memorial has not taken off yet.

Dogs and cows defecate in an around the kabar. Plastic and papers are thrown all over the place. Visitors, in their excitement to get a closer look at the kabar for taking photographs, sneak through the barricades regularly.

Upset family members at House of Kalam say they are hurt by the neglect from the government.

“It was the wish of the government that Kalam be buried at Pei Karumbu. We agreed to it keeping his followers in mind. Otherwise all our family members are buried at Abil Kabil Dargah in Rameswaram, which is maintained by us,” A P J M Maraikayar, 99-year-old elder brother of former President of India, told OneIndia.

We will build a memorial with people’s support: Maraikayar

Maraikayar said the politicians have gone back on the promises they made soon after the demise of his brother.

“We are very upset. At this age do you think I can run around? If the government doesn’t want to build the memorial at the kabar, people of Rameswaram, with the support of his students across the world, will build one,” says an upset Maraikayar.

The family members say that they are moved by the support from the police, who are keeping the kabar and the make-shift shelter intact. A police outpost in the vicinity has constables doing eight-hour shift, 24x7.

“It is not the duty of the police to clean the area. We are told that the ground is cleaned only once in three days now. Lots of people visit the place and it is important that the area is kept clean and in a dignified manner,” says a family member.

Rameswaram Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) B Muthuramalingam told OneIndia that his men are tasked with the security duty only.

“We do not get into the maintenance aspect as that falls under panchayat. The visitors flow increases on Saturdays, Sundays and on festival days. We are in touch with the family regularly,” says Muthuramalingam.

TN has done its bit; over to New Delhi: MP Anwar Raja 

Speaking to OneIndia from Delhi, A Anwar Raja, Member of Parliament from Ramanathapuram, representing the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, claimed that the state government has done everything it could do in a short span of time.

“We have allotted 1.5 acres of land for the construction of a befitting memorial for Dr Kalam. Our leader (J Jayalalithaa) has declared so many initiatives in honour of Dr Kalam. It is left to the central government to take up the job further ahead,” says Anwar Raja.

He said he had even raised the matter in Parliament during Zero Hour last week. “There has been no price-worthy effort from the BJP government to honour Dr Kalam in New Delhi or in Rameswaram. It is not in the hands of the state government and the delay is not justified,” says Anwar Raja.

He said the government has not replied to his question in Parliament with many MPs cutting across party lines supporting his views.

Anwar Raja said that under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), a high-mast light was erected at the kabar recently. He said a bus stop is also ready to be functional soon, built with funds from MPLADS. 

The MP said he was told that the decision to construct the memorial was with the Ministry of Defence, a fact OneIndia couldn’t verify.

Calls and text messages to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) head Dr S Christopher and Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Dr G Satheesh Reddy went unanswered.

People’s President cannot be neglected: MLA Dr Jawahirullah

Interestingly, Dr M H Jawahirullah, Ramanathapuram MLA, from Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), had a different take on the issue.

“This should not be just a memorial alone. In fact that is not Dr Kalam wanted. His burial place should be one which reflects his life and mission. Besides the kabar, there should be a library, science centre and healthcare centre,” says Dr Jawahirullah.

He said the memorial for Dr Kalam should be a different one. “But, we are surprised that nothing has come up in five months. A great man, whom the nation followed passionately, seems to have been neglected now. The Central Government will have to reply for this negligence,” says Dr Jawahirullah, a former professor.

He said if Dr Kalam’s kabar is still under a make-shift shelter, it clearly shows the negligence of the government.

“People’s President deserves a better treatment. I had suggested to the state government that a college should be started at Pei Karumbu. The state government should run the college, which will serve the people of the region. Remember, even Dr Kalam had to travel a lot for his higher studies for want of good institutions in the area,” Dr Jawahirullah.

Land transferred to Central Government: Collector Nanthakumar 

When contacted K Nanthakumar, Ramanathapuram Collector said the district administration had allotted 1.5 acres of land as per the government directive.

“The DRDO officials from Chennai had visited Pei Karumbu. Officials from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) too surveyed the area. The Government of India has to carry forward the work,” says Nantha Kumar.

The Collector said that the land has been already transferred to the Central Government with the proposal papers to the same effect sent to the Government of Tamil Nadu.

With the one-time strong Kalam team all scattered and the family distancing themselves from his aides to keep controversies at bay, it is now left to be seen what the state and central governments would do to salvage the pride.

Copyright@OneIndia
Read in Hindi: http://bit.ly/1NGCVst
Read in Tamil: http://bit.ly/1JnGn9u
Also see #Justice4GuruKalam,  a Tarmak007 campaign:
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Tribute to my Guru; let the Kalam in us live on

This photo sent by Indian Army sepoy Renjith C, offers pranams to Guru Kalam. During his last visit to Bangalore, Renjith, a gifted artist, wowed the Missile Man with a life-like painting of him playing the veena. He was so impressed with the painting that he later tweeted Renjith’s story.

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bangalore, July 31: Today is Guru Poornima – a special day for Indians, when one remembers, celebrates and honours teachers. It is only serendipity that I am writing a tribute to my Guru and the beloved teacher for millions of Indians - Dr A P J Abdul Kalam - on this auspicious day. For a shishya who has surrendered to his Gurus, this is perhaps the ultimate tribute that I can pay.

For many of my friends in the media, I have been the go-to man on Dr Kalam for years now. On the night of July 27, I was on a bus headed for Kerala, when I was flooded with calls inquiring about Dr Kalam’s well-being. 

Since there have been rumours about his health and I often clarified to the world that all was well with him, I wasn’t very perturbed. Yet, this time, I was beginning to become concerned as the number of calls and messages wouldn’t stop. 

By 7.30 pm, battling poor signal inside the bus, I was told by one of his close aides that Guru Kalam had left us. Like most of you, I too felt lost. Orphaned. I retreated into a shell, mourning and grieving the loss of my biggest wealth, who had taken the flight to eternity. I felt like my Mother had died again. 

The last few days have gone in a haze, me trying to hold on to my many memories; my interactions, my innumerable learnings, my disappointments when I couldn’t reach him at times and my excitement every time he said: “You fellow write well.”

As I sit to write a tribute on this Guru Poornima Day, it is serendipity again to recollect that my first face-to-face interview with Guru Kalam was again about a ‘guru’. He was in Bangalore following the demise of Prof Sathish Dhawan, who was the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation from in 1972 to 1984.

“I am going to talk about my guru. Only about him... Don't ask me about anything,'' this was how our first conversation started on January 5, 2002. The interview was arranged by Dr Kota Harinarayana, who was then heading the Tejas programme. 

Prior to this meeting, I would often bother Guru Kalam, calling his landline in New Delhi. And, honestly out of the hundreds of calls I made, I was lucky to get him on the line only a few times, most often with him politely disconnecting after learning that it was me, again. 

"I have lost my guru Prof Satish Dhawan. He taught me how to design a propeller for hovercraft in 1959. I am touched by his concern for others. His urged us to take the benefit of design and development to the common man who has contributed to the country. I will miss my guru,” Dr Kalam told me.

The interview appeared next day in The Times of India with the headline: “Kalam the student misses Dhawan the guru.” A week later, I got to know from Dr Kota that Guru Kalam loved the article and I had apparently made no mistakes, to his surprise! 

This was probably my first baby step into his heart. A scientist-journalist bond has just been born.

His first interview as the President: From 2002 to 2003, his confidence in me grew and he started accepting me as a ‘better writer.’ When his name was announced as the presidential candidate, I sent him a hand-written letter to Chennai. “Sir, when you become the President of India, I hope you will grant me the first interview,” I remember having written among other things.

In July 2002, when the paper boy from Rameshwaram logged into Rashtrapati Bhawan (RB), he launched a series of technology initiatives that opened up two-way communication with the common man. The efforts of V Ponraj, who was the Director (Technology Interface) of RB, was commendable.

Two months later, during his first visit to Bangalore, Guru Kalam kept his word and granted me his first ever interview as the President of India. After all the formalities and exchange of pleasantries, I had just five minutes to ask questions. Time: 8 am. Place: Raj Bhawan, Bangalore. “You email me the rest of the questions, I say. Okay?” he said. I still remember the then Governor T N Chaturvedi giving me an incredulous look. 

Five minutes, three queries with the Prez, read the next day’s headline. For the media world, the interview wasn’t just a scoop. It was a coup! 

The unofficial cake boy: On many of his birthdays, I have had the good fortune to carry the cake - often travelling from Bangalore to wherever he was. At the stroke of midnight, we would cut the cake in a simple function at some nondescript government guest house. Seeing me, he would say: “You have again come!!” There were instances when two cakes landed, one arranged by his aides and another from this self-appointed blue-eyed boy.

He always cut both the cakes, blew out both candles and ensured that his security guards also got their share. “I have begun another orbit around the Sun,” he would say in his inimitable way, the twinkle in his eyes unmistakable. 

Once, when I ordered for a cake in Kerala, the stunned cake shop owner refused to take money when I asked him to inscribe: “Happy B’day Dr Kalam.” When I told him that Dr Kalam doesn’t appreciate anything free, he halfheartedly accepted. 

During another birthday in 2011, in Coimbatore, I was again present with the cake. Next day, it was I who got a gift from the birthday boy, when he introduced me to everyone as: “Meet my friend from Bangalore. He is a periya writer,” bringing tears in my eyes.

When I lost my mother, Guru Kalam reminded me that I should make her proud by continuing with my writing mission. When I had a difference of opinion with my editor and wanted to quit a newspaper, he said: “Change will always make you stronger.” Those words have stayed on with me. When I earned a Doctorate in Journalism, he blessed me and said: “Your mother will be happy up there.”

In 2007, on the eve of Children’s Day (November 14), Guru Kalam and I sat well past mid-night at the Satyam Guest House in Hyderabad, giving last-minute touches to his dream e-paper, Billion Beats. 

During its televised launch in front of over lakh schoolchildren in Karminagar, Guru Kalam was excited to don another hat, this time as the Editor of Billion Beats. “Capture all the positive stories of Indians. I am tired of the negative news you fellows (media) give,” he would often say.

My last meeting with Guru Kalm was on June 25, 2015, at Raj Bhawan in Bangalore. He was happy to meet my adopted sister Dhanya Ravi, a 24-year-old, battling with Brittle Bones disease. He was delighted to meet Dhanya, who is always seated in a pram, and they chatted away like long-lost friends. 

When I touched his feet while leaving, he said: “I am proud of you. Serving special children is like serving God. God bless you.”

I am grateful to his long-serving Private Secretary R K Prasad, who always acted as a bridge between Guru Kalam and me. Prasad ensured that there’s always something refreshing that came out of the scientist-journalist bonding. 

There is a Abdul Kalam in all of us: As a journalist, I feel that we are a nation that applauds blindly. A nation that forgets easily. A nation that talks too much, but does too little. For Guru Kalam, can we not change? 

Remember, we are all blessed that we lived in an era that saw a simple man who walked the talk. He touched a chord in every one of us. We carried him in our hearts from the day we got to know him. 

There is a Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in all of us. If you think he died a happy man, I might disagree with you. He died a hopeful man. And, that hope is Me. You. Us. 

He will be a happy man only when we complete his assignment -- to make India a developed nation.

If Guru Kalam was with us today, he would have asked: “Now everyone, will you repeat with me? My National Flag flies in my heart and I will bring glory to my Nation.” This is all that a karmayogi like Guru Kalam would ask of his beloved countrymen. 

Our time starts now!

I will miss you, Sir!

(Different formats of the above tribute have appeared on the
online editions of OneIndia and Mathrubhumi, English.)

At 80, Kalam says he's in love

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: APJ is in love! Deep love! This could be one piece of news that might hit you on a Sunday morning in surprise. It's confirmed. There's proof. And, he has admitted it. He even posted a video with his 'love' on his FB page. He penned a poem dipped in passion. The Missile Man is bit by the love bug at 80.
It was on Valentine's Day – a committed Kalam made up his mind and leaked the news to the world. He first posted a photo on FB, standing next to his apple of eye. He was calm. Cool and had some looks of a man in 'love.' Those following him world-over were thrilled, even prompting this Correspondent to quiz him: “Dr Kalam, what's going on through your mind.” No reply came. Nor any 'Like This' message.
But he sprang a surprise by penning a poem two weeks later. This time he chose to go the digital way. When Express sought the lyrics of the poem, Kalam responded at lightning speed. And, some of the lines randomly read: “With a music of honey bee intoxicated; A surprise and a miracle; At no time experienced disappointed; Your soul wants us to blossom; Oh Kalam!”
Sources close to him say that his love really blossomed while he was the First Citizen of India. Wanting anonymity, they said that the former President was seen 'dating' at Mughal Garden, not once, many times. “What mattered to the missile man was the fragrance and charm that reflected the inner beauty and definitely not the external looks. He was very thrilled every time he was at the Mughal Garden,” a close aide of his said.
So what's making him open his heart now? To let the world know what is in his mind. To pen a poem that goes on to read: Smile and always spontaneously smile; Touched my face and body, fully rejuvenated; Make the world smile.
On his FB page (www.facebook.com/OfficialKalam), the 'Like This' fan numbers have crossed the 2-lakh mark on Saturday, probably due to his revelations about his latest 'love' and the life, thereafter. 

There's nothing wrong to fall in love at 80. After all, roses are harmless. Only, keep away from the thorns!

Copyright@The New Sunday Express

Dr Kalam@80: Missile Man wants to hit a 100 to witness India's Moon walk!

Former Indian President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam celebrates his 80th birthday at the Circuit Guest House in Coimbatore in the company of his close associates and friends. Photos: Copyright @ Billion Beats

India’s inspiration machine and former President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam completed his ‘80^th orbit around the Sun’ on October 15. The birthday boy was in his elements when his friends and associates cut the cake at the Circuit Guest House in Coimbatore at the stroke of the midnight. Among the special guests who witnessed his ‘entry into the 81^st orbit,’ included his security staff, attendants, cooks and drivers.

The livewire ‘missile man’ then ensured that everyone got their share of cake and ate it too. While the shutterbugs shot at will, Kalam moved around accepting greetings from all. T. Sunil Kumar, an expert with the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) of Coimbatore police – on duty at the guest house – was completely floored when Kalam called him for a photo-op. “Never in my life I experienced something like this and ever I think, I will. I am moved by his simplicity, despite all the attention around,” Sunil said.

So was the case with the guest house attendant Giri, who has been taking care of Kalam’s dietary needs, right from his presidential days. “When he sits for dinner, he will ask whether I had mine. Then he would want to know in detail, what I had. I am blessed to serve him whenever he comes to Kovai,” says Giri. The b’day boy finally retired for the day at 2 pm, after making the final touches to his speech copies for the next day.

On Saturday, addressing a group of students at Nandankare -- on the outskirts of Coimbatore -- Kalam hoped that he would touch a century so as to witness the might of today’s youth. “If I complete 100 years...if I am alive, then I will be seeing many of you walking on the Moon and Mars. Hold on to your dreams to reach your goals. Never give up. Will you?” he said. R.K. Prasad, his personal secretary says that Kalam wants to meet everyone, who wants to meet him. “He doesn’t want to disappoint a single soul. He wants to connect with everyone, come what may,” says Prasad. Kalam's associate V. Ponraj too echoed the same view. "He has dedicated his life to India's youth. It is the power of the youth that propels Dr Kalam's energy," Ponraj said.

Hundreds of people were seen lined up on the roads waving at Kalam’s convoy, with some jumping in joy after spotting him inside the white bullet-proof Ambassador car. Seeing the never-ending enthusiasm of people, A. Sivathanu Pillai, head of BrahMos supersonic missile project, felt that Kalam’s ability to set goals for every human being he meets makes him different from the rest. “He is always dreaming of giving India’s youth an aim for shaping their lives with definite goals,” says Pillai, a long-time associate of Kalam.

As he stepped into the Coimbatore airport on Saturday evening to chart the flight-path for his next mission, the story remained the same with autograph and photograph hunters taking vantage points for that exclusive moment in their lives.

Video: Dr Kalam turns 80

Video: Ravishanker Coimbatore

Kalam@79: Cakes for cops, gyan for friends and blessings for the Billion!

Kalam@79 Photos: Saju Bhaskar, Mathrubhumi

October 14. Time: 11: 45 pm. It was all quiet and calm at the Government Guest House at Alappuzha with all VIP/VVIP guests retiring for the day. Outside, it was a fortress of sorts, with the Kerala Police personnel keeping a hawk-eye vigil on every visitor, especially those entering the ‘corner room.’ After day-long marathon meetings, we were told that their ‘very special guest’ straight away hit the dinner table along with his close aides. “The President is having his dinner,” said one of the gun-toting cops. The President in question is the former President of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and he is still referred to as the President by many in Kerala. Time 12:30. For a known Kalam-aide, the night was still young. But this night was special. To make the moment memorable, we passed the security test first. Armed with a chocolate cake and a bouquet, we were called in by Mr. Prasad, Kalam’s Man Friday for decades. Giving me company were my friends Dennis Marcus Mathew from The Hindu and veteran photo-journalist Saju Bhaskar from Mathrubhumi.“Did you all have your dinner?” the birthday boy enquired in his inimitable style. We quickly cleaned up the table and the stage was set for a very, very quiet, simple, celebration. India’s inspirational machine just turned 80. In the presence of his Private Secretary and trusted aide Mr. R.K. Prasad and ADA engineer Mr. V. Ponraj, Dr Kalam blew the candles and later cut the cake while we all sang the B’day song. “I am entering my 80th orbit,” he told. Looking back at 79 years, Dr Kalam said the happiest moment for him came when spin-off technology from Agni heat shield was transformed to make lightweight calipers called floor reaction orthosis (FRO). “The SLV-3 launch, the Agni missile launch, the N-blast at Pokhran, India 2020 Vision discussions and meeting close to 9.5 million youth across the country are my other memorable moments,” the man of the moment said. And then came the big surprise. He stood up by saying ‘okay, okay, okay’ took the cake tray and turned back asking his aide to open the door. The policemen outside, tired after a hectic day’s work, could not believe that the former First Citizen of India wants to share the moment of joy with them. “Come, come, come…Take, take, take,” he said, inviting everyone who were present there. When he retired for the day, past 1 pm, some of the police personnel were delighted that he had in fact agreed to their request to meet their families the next day morning. As promised, he interacted with their families, the guest house staff, the cook, drivers and every human being who was eager to shake hands with him. Every possible gadget under the sun that could take a photo went live soon. On way to the 200-year-old Edathua church, one could see people thronging on both sides of the road for kilometers together to get a glimpse of India’s missile man. Throughout the venues, he was given the welcome, befitting a king. His now-famous interactive sessions with schoolchildren, touched upon issues ranging from poverty, science, moral values, technology and of course, the power of dreams. Ten years from now, he will be 90. Then India would touchdown@2020 – his dream destination for the billion. And, that birthday will be truly special for India.

Copyright@Tarmak007