Minister's faux pas on Kalam

Gangtok, Oct 15: Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma on Thursday referred to former president A.P.J Abdul Kalam as Abdul Kalam Azad -- not once but twice.

The goof-up took place while he was paying tributes here to the former president at the start of the Fourth International Tourism Mart.

"On this occasion, I would like to remember former president Abdul Kalam Azad for his contributions towards global peace. Today is his 84th birth anniversary," the minister said.

Sharma committed the gaffe twice, not realizing he was confusing Kalam with Azad, an icon of Indian independence movement.