Connecting billion hearts is my mission: Kalam

New Delh, July 24: President A P J Abdul Kalam, who has come to be regarded as people's President, today addressed the nation on the eve of demitting office after a ''beautiful and eventful'' five-year tenure at Rashtrapati Bhavan, thanking the countrymen for helping him enjoy ''every minute'' of his Presidentship.

In his 20-minute ''thanks giving address to the nation'' under the theme ''five eventful years,'' Dr Kalam said it was indeed a thanks-giving occasion.

''I would like to narrate, how I enjoyed every minute of my tenure enriched by the wonderful association from each one of you, hailing from different walks of life, be it politics, science and technology, academics, arts, literature, business, judiciary, administration, local bodies, farming, home makers, special children, media and above all from the youth and student community who are the future wealth of our country.'' The President recalled his visit to the Siachen Glacier and various other parts of the country, particularly Tamil Nadu, besides talking in detail about all the subjects that have been dear to his heart during his tenure -- making India a developed nation before 2020, connectivity, bridging the rural-urban divide, education and health.

''Finally, let me thank each one of you for showering your love and affection on me throughout the last five years by your cooperation and support.

''Dear citizens, I conclude my address by sharing with you my mission in life which is to bring connectivity between billion hearts and and minds of the people of India in our multicultural society and to embed the self confidence that we can do it. I will be always with you, dear citizens, in the great mission of making India a developed nation before 2020. May God bless you. Jai Hind.''

UNI