While India’s politics has been somewhat murky in the recent past, with caste, religion and vote-bank influencing choice of candidates, if not the result, however the country has always been blessed with wonderful, impeccable, honest, intellectual presidents of the highest integrity, albeit with one sole exception.
From first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad, (1950-62) who took office when India chose to become Republic, replacing Queen as “Head of State”, the only president to serve two terms, followed by Dr Radhakrishnan, Dr Zakir Husain to Pranab Mukherjee who will make way to Ram Nath Kovind, no one has gained popularity, contributed more, served the nation more diligently than lustre, people’s idol Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam who could have become the only second president to serve two terms, if Congress had not replaced him with their nominee, the least deserving, most ineffective Prathibha Patil who was regarded as Congress’s mouth-piece, Sonia Gandhi’s puppet who was part of her domestic set-up.
To commemorate 2nd death anniversary of passing away of luminary APJ Kalam, popularly known as “Missile Man” who laid the foundation of India’s successful and enviable space programme, PM Modi inaugurated “Abdul Kalam Memorial” in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, his home State, in harmony with fifty million students who sang “Kalam Anthem” while PM hoisted “Tricolour” in honour of the noblest son of modern India who will always be remembered fondly.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
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