NEW DELHI: Late former President A P J Abdul Kalam had envisioned a unique university in his hometown Ramanathapuram that would bring out entrepreneurs who would generate jobs.
The dream, however, could not be realised in his lifetime, as he passed away on Monday.
According to his relatives, the “People’s President” had confided in them recently also about the vision for the multi-disciplinary institution.
“He wanted a University at Ramanathapuram. Perhaps, it was his last wish for his native place. He had this wish for a long time. He also spoke about it recently. The university that he had envisioned was a multi-disciplinary institution at Rameswaram,” Sheik Dawood, grandson of Kalam’s elder brother and a software professional, told PTI here.
Rameswaram, where Kalam was born, is located in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.
A distinguished scientist, Kalam also taught at Anna University, Chennai, as Professor, Technology & Societal Transformation, before becoming the President of India.
He was keenly involved in teaching and research tasks and also took up the task of igniting young minds for the nation’s development.
Another relative of Kalam said that his vision was about “creative education” and students passing out of the institution should be “entrepreneurs and generate jobs for others”.
But, he passed away before it could be realised, the relative said.
The former President breathed his last at Bethany Hospital, Shillong, Meghalaya on July 27 after he collapsed during a lecture at the IIM there.
About five of Kalam’s relatives were in Delhi yesterday to pay their respects as the mortal remains of the late former President was brought here from Shillong.
His funeral will be held in Rameswaram tomorrow.
Born in 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, specialised in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology.
Kalam became the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002. His focus was on transforming India into a developed nation by 2020.
Popularly called the “Missile Man” of India, Kalam rose from humble beginnings and earned the reputation of being the “people’s President” who endeared himself to all sections, especially the young.
Post-presidency, Kalam worked as a visiting professor at Indian Institute of Management in Shillong, Ahmedabad and Indore and several research and academic institution across the country and world.
Known for his unique interactive skills, Kalam made it a point to involve students in his speeches and lectures irrespective of their age-group.–PTI
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