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apj@abdulkalam.com - an inspiring email ID for millions of fans

By Anantha Krishnan M
|
Google Oneindia News

Kochi (Kerala), July 28: India's most-sought after email ID -- [email protected] -- will now go silent.
Over the year, this email acted as an inspiring channel for millions of followers and well-wishers of former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who passed away in Shillong yesterday.

For over a decade, www.abdulkalam.com was the address for Dr Kalam's followers to get connected with him.
Managed by one of his trusted aides V Ponraj, this website virtually became a one-stop window for all devotees of the Missile Man to get an update on what he spoke, what he thought and what he wanted.

APJ Abdul Kalam

Even during his Presidential days, despite having an official Rashtrapathi Bhavan website and email ID, Dr Kalam ensured that [email protected] was active throughout his tenure (2002 to 2007).

Dr Kalam never disappointed his followers and sat through late nights to read all the emails.

He replied to all emails that were to-the-point and with clarity content. The rest would be passed on to his aides for necessary action.

"You email to me, I say," was his standard reply to students and journalists alike.

Once, when this writer became impatient after he wanted an interview of his withheld, owing to one of his relatives falling ill, Dr Kalam told over phone: "No one will steal my answers, I say. I don't want media interviews when a family member is hospitalized."

Months later came the green signal came and the interview was published in OneIndia. (Read: Oneindia Exclusive: Kalam's message to youth - 'I reached the destination, my mission']

During a recent meeting with OneIndia Editor A K Khan, Dr Kalam was inspired to hear that the news portal had several language verticals.

"You must email me some of the inspiring stories you fellows publish," he said. And when the links were emailed, he ensured that some of them were tweeted from his handle.

(The writer is a seasoned aerospace, defence journalist in India and currently the Consultant Editor (Defence) with OneIndia. He has been a close associate of Dr Kalam for the past two decades. He tweets @writetake.)

OneIndia News

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