hi all
Today Times of India has carried a story in the following link
According to the story, the Government wants to put restriction to Dr Kalam's visit to foreign countries, as they incur $1000 per day, towards security, during his stay abroad.
Probably, after Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Abdul Kalam is the only National leader, who has gained popularity and respect even without holding any position or power currently. Two months back, CNN IBN survey rated him as the Top Indian Icon. Last week, Readers Digest released their survey declaring Dr Kalam as the No 1 among the most trusted persons of the country.
Many of the bureaucrats and politicians visit foreign countries at the cost of the Government for sight seeing and holidays, int he name of official visit. There were recent reports, some of the ministers were staying in 7 star hotels at Delhi due to non availability of residential quarters.
Two months back, when Dr Kalam was visiting Bangalore, Mr Ponraj, his advisor who accompanied him was not allowed to come out through VIP gate (which is the usual procedure). Mr Ponraj was asked to come out through public gate and this caused lot of delay in the movement of Dr Kalam. Dr Kalam had to wait a long time at Airport, till Mr Ponraj joined him. The reason cited was "security risk". It is still not known how a person who is always with Dr Kalam can be a security risk when he comes out of Airport. This was reported in all media. While it did not happen in other Airports, it happened only at Bangalore airport. But Dr Kalam remained calm and never commented.
Even at the age of 79, Dr Kalam is visiting every day one place or other and meeting the youngsters and motivate them. He is more interested in shaping the youth. Wherever he goes, he attracts large crowd of youngsters both in India and abroad..
I have also read in many media reports that whenever Dr Kalam visits US, many American students visit him and discuss with him. He is becoming more popular even in foreign countries, among the youth. While past Presdients of various countries charge money for their speech, Dr Kalam never charges even a single rupee both in India and outside. The Government does not incur any expenditure due to his foreign visit, as the host organisations arrange his travel and accommodation.
I recall the instances when he was the President, he reimbursed the expenses incurred during the visit of his family members from Rameswaram to Rashtrapathi Bhavan. I know personally, when he filed the nomination for Presidential Elections, he did not want the deposit amount to be remitted by any political parties. He drew the required money from his bank account and carried with him and paid to the Election Commission. Members may remember that when he left Rashtrapathi Bhavan, he came out only with two boxes, one box containing his dress and the other his books.
Members may recall that two years back, we started an online campaign (after he left the Rashtrapathi bhavan) to make him as "Goodwill Ambassador of India". By visiting various places abroad, he spreads the brand of India. Now American youth started looking at India with respect, due to many visits of Dr Kalam. He has even addressed American Scientists. The most popular Universities in US and Europe invite him. In facts, he deserves the Nobel Prize for peace.
The Government should make use of his stature to develop brand image with other countries by making him 'Goodwill Ambassador' of India and to motivate Indian youth. Even if the Government, incurs any expenditure for security, this is an 'investment' for brand building.
Srinivasan
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