Kalam surprises Khushwant: Takes autograph, discusses Quran

New Delhi, Feb 10 (UNI) It was Quran that was at the centre of the discussion between President A P J Abdul Kalam, who is deeply religious, and renowned author Khushwant Singh, an agnostic.

''We discussed the relevance of Islam and the day of judgement'' (qayamat ka din) when people upon death are rewarded or punished for their deeds, Mr Khushwant Singh told UNI about the meeting.

Mr Singh, who is also a journalist, said he quoted the Arabic version of the day of judgement in Quran, and at the same time told the President that he was an agnostic.

''The President smiled'' and said ''it is all in the mind.'' ''I was a little overawed'' by the visit of Dr Kalam to his residence at Sujan Singh Park in central Delhi, the noted columnist said.

Asked why he felt so as he has been close to former Presidents, particularly Mr Zail Singh, he said by now everyone knew Dr Kalam was a humble man, but he felt touched by the visit because of the status of the office of President.

Mr Khushwant Singh said he was not only surprised by the President's visit, but also by Dr Kalam's gesture of seeking his autograph during the half-an-hour meeting.

Besides giving the autograph, he explained the reasons for being an agnostic.

Asked what was the reason for the President calling on him, he said Dr Kalam did not say anything about this. ''It seems it was a totally motiveless, courteous call that was the result of his goodness of heart.'' Replying to a query whether the President ate something at his residence, Mr Singh said he offered to Dr Kalam some snacks, coffee and soft drinks, but the security came in the way -- the first citizen was not supposed to eat outside.

It was also so nice of Dr Kalam to bring a huge bouquet of red roses, carefully plucked from the Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mr Singh, who turned 93 recently, said.

However, the visit was not all that rosy for the neighbours of Mr Singh and even his grandaughter whose cars were towed away from that place before Dr Kalam came knocking, he said.

Mr Singh said he felt that someone was out to make a fool of him when he received repeated calls, ostensibly from the President's ADC. The caller said the President wanted to call on him at the convenience of the author.

The nonagenarian said though he was not sure of the authenticity of the call he told the official he was ready to receive the President whenever it was convenient to Dr Kalam.

UNI