Beloved President

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was an unlikely compromise candidate for President in 2002. He soon became one of the most popular occupants of the nation's highest office as he reached out to ordinary Indians, particularly the young. If his accomplishments as a scientist accorded him respect, his humility and desire to connect endeared him to people of all hues. Post retirement, his popularity did not diminish. Despite advancing age, he kept a punishing schedule, heeding to requests from all corners to address students. Once asked what he would most want to be remembered as, he replied: "teacher". He would have liked the way it all ended - while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. APJ Abdul Kalam, a bachelor, leaves behind an inspiring legacy.

He was extraordinary in many ways, and an oddity too. From humble beginnings, Kalam rose to head the country's space and defence programmes. The "missile man" played the veena, could quote liberally from scriptures and was a best-selling author. A Muslim steeped in Hindu culture, he listened to Carnatic devotional music daily and was a vegetarian - embodying India's heritage of diversity. Amidst all this, he loved to be among youth. He inspired them, they inspired him. President Kalam also had many firsts to his credit. He was the first technocrat to hold the exalted office, the first to fly a fighter jet, to sail in a submarine and visit the troops in Siachen. He attained pop idol status and was nominated twice, while in office, for a popular youth icon award. Bollywood honoured him with a movie that portrayed him as a positive influence on a boy, who changes his name to Kalam.

There were aspects where President Kalam did not cover himself with glory, such as imposing President's rule in Bihar in 2005 and keeping mercy petitions pending. His initial refusal to approve the Office of Profit Bill, however, showed he was no rubber stamp either. He was keen on a second term, but left the field in the absence of unanimous support. "People's President" would be a befitting sobriquet. "Kalam Sir" would have been his pick.