Kalam was frequent visitor to Mussoorie, loved walking

Tribune News Service

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Mussoorie, July 31

An outpouring of emotions on the death of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has been witnessed in Mussoorie. Local chronicler Gopal Bhardwaj remembering the great man said Kalam as an eminent scientist of the country frequently visited Mussoorie, especially the Defence Institute of Work Study (DIWS), now known as the Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), in the Landour Cantonment Board.

Bhardwaj said Kalam loved nature and visited Mussoorie frequently. He used to disembark from his official vehicle and walk to the DIWS at Lal Tibba to deliver a lecture. He was fond of walking as he said it was good for his health and would save fuel for the country.

Kalam as the President of the country visited St. George’s School in 2004 to attend its 150th foundation day celebrations. He interacted with students with ease. Students asked him several questions that he replied to without any pretence, said Bhardwaj.

Kalam also visited Mahatma Gandhi International School in Indonesia several years ago and interacted with principal of the school Dr Ashok Pal Singh, who is from Mussoorie and Bhardwaj’s brother-in-law. Kalam was quite elated at meeting the Indian diaspora in Indonesia.

Kurien Arackal, librarian at Wynberg Allen School, said his wife, who is a teacher, got an opportunity to interact with Kalam when he visited St. George’s College in 2004. Kalam was a visionary and loved people, especially children who saw him as a role model, said Kurien.

Municipal Council president Manmohan Singh Mall paid homage to Kalam and said he was a people’s President who ignited young minds to excel in life.