Anna University rolling out red carpet for Kalam

Chennai, July 24 (UNI) The Anna University is gearing up to welcome A P J Abdul Kalam back after he dewits the President's office.

Hailed as missile man, people's President and rocket scientist, Dr Kalam would stay in the University and take classes for the bio-technology students, besides interacting with the students.

University Vice-Chancellor D Viswanathan told UNI here today that Mr Kalam would reach here late in the evening tomorrow.

Since the swearing-in-ceremony of Ms Pratibha Patil would take place in the afternoon, Dr Kalam would come late in the evening.

As planned earlier, Dr Viswanathan would not be going to New Delhi to escort Dr Kalam to Chennai, due to tight security arrangements in the Capital.

A guest house was being readied for him. ''He has preferred a simple room. There are no special arrangements, since he has asked us not to organise any grand reception,'' the Vice-chancellor said.

The usual security arrangements for him would also be put in place, he added.

The President had already expressed his desire to go back to teaching after he refused to seek a second-term in the absence of a consensus.

Dr Kalam, who had served as Professor Emeritus at the University five years ago, would continue to serve as Joint Supervisor for Ph D students and had expressed his desire to take classes in space applications, bio-technology and nano-technology for undergraduate students.

However, Dr Kalam did not specify about the duration of his stay in the University. He had also expressed his desire to teach students of Nalanda University in Bihar.

UNI