Dr Kalam was God’s gift to mankind, says Ilayaraja
Chennai, Oct 12: Standing up to the simple and meaningful standards of life and mission set former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, his family members launched a new movement to propel his dreams and to inspire millions of his followers.
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam International Foundation (AKIF) formally took a baby step when legendary music director Isaignani Ilayaraja launched its logo in the presence of Dr Kalam's immediate family members.
At the emotionally-charged gathering at the Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chetpet, most speakers shared some unknown side of Dr Kalam while offering their tributes.
As reported by OneIndia earlier, the Foundation's activities will be monitored by the family members with some of the associates of Dr Kalam in advisory role.
[Read: OneIndia Special: Dr Kalam's family to launch international Foundation on Oct 11]
His simplicity, honest inspired millions
Illayaraja said Dr Kalam is the only Indian probably penetrated the minds of millions. "He lived in our heart and continues to do so. It was God's vara (blessings) to mankind that such a soul took birth. No film star or a politician in the world could ever match the popularity of Dr Kalam," the famous musician said.
He said he was amused to see Dr Kalam's following even in the remotest areas of the country.
"When I recently travelled to a remote village, I saw Dr Kalam's photo garlanded with his popular quotes in front of a small tea shop. People across the world admired him for his simplicity and honesty," Ilayaraja said.
The Foundation, launched under the banner of House of Kalam (former President's residence in Rameshwaram), announced a series of activities to be taken up in phases.
"Dr A P J Abdul Kalam had many dreams in his mind. We are making an honest effort to propel them one after another through silent work. We will carry forward the work Dr Kalam initiated through youngsters. We will strive hard to inspire the future generation of India through various inspiring missions. I am happy that the family members are united in spreading his mission," said Dr Naseema Maraikayar, Dr Kalam's elder brother's daughter and founder Chairperson of the Foundation.
Library movement across India soon
Striking a similarity with Dr Kalam's style of speaking was A P J M J Sheik Dawood, Dr Kalam's grand nephew, who listed out some of the plans of the Foundation.
"We
plan
to
carry
out
a
nation-wide
campaign
to
set-up
home
libraries
to
inculcate
the
habit
of
reading
among
the
young
generations.
We
want
to
promote
the
fundamentals
of
basic
science,
which
was
closer
to
Dr
Kalam's
heart,"
Dawood
said.
Speaking
to
OneIndia
on
the
sidelines
of
the
event,
A
P
J
M
J
Sheik
Saleem,
grand
nephew
of
Dr
Kalam
and
now
a
Bharatiya
Janata
Party
member,
said
that
the
Foundation
will
walk
the
path
of
the
former
President.
"We will do silent work and all activities will be coordinated by House of Kalam," he said.
House of Kalam members G K Moinudeen and A P J M J S Nagoor Roja also shared their moving experiences interacting with the Missile Man innumerable times.
A former aide of Dr Kalam's Ponraj narrated an incident during the setting up of the missile-testing facility in Wheeler's Island, off Odisha coast.
(The writer is a seasoned aerospace and defence journalist in India. He is the Consultant Editor (Defence) with OneIndia and tweets @writetake.)
Read in Tamil: அப்துல் கலாம் இறைவன் மனிதகுலத்திற்கு அளித்த வரம்: இளையராஜா பெருமிதம்