All Presidents have enriched Rashtrapati Bhawan: Kalam

New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) Asserting that every occupant to the Rashtrapati Bhawan brings with him or her the core competance of more than a billion people, outgoing President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam today said whoever comes here will enrich its lofty portals.

Answering to media queries on President-elect Pratibha Patil's victory Dr Kalam said anyone who ascends to the President's chair enriches it, as experience has shown.

''A President brings with him or her the core competance of a billion people besides that of his own.'' On his 'parting message', the President said he wasn't parting.

''I will be with the people.'' He said he wanted every individual to come to the Rashtrapati Bhawan so as to instill in themselves the self confidence which was important to make it big in life and added that as a part of this move, ''I have made the Rashtrapati Bhawan the 'people's bhawan'.'' Describing his stay at Rashtrapati Bhawan as ''a beautiful experience'', Dr Kalam said he was leaving the place with calm and beautiful thoughts.

Later the President addressed officers, workers and their families and speaking in Hindi recited a poem exxhorting God to give his country vision and happiness.

''Main nirantar badhta raha... is search of the treasure of knowledge, the island of peace... which would give my country vision and happiness through hard work...'' while adding ''Bless ny nation O God...''.

Lauding them for their support and cooperation which helped him transform the President House into a 'janta bhawan', Dr Kalam said during his five year tenure he found there was ample scope for development in the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

In the end, calling upon the young ones, the President asked them to plant one tree each to make the 'family garden' here a greener place that would take care of the environment for the coming generation.

UNI