Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi –
July 27, 2015 was a sad day for Indians in India and across the globe.
Three militants disguised in Army uniforms opened fire at a moving bus and forcefully entered a local police station in the state of Punjab, India.
Indians also had to bear the loss of their much loved former President of the country Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the renowned scientist who is credited with India’s nuclear programme. Dr Kalam passed away after collapsing at an event that he was addressing in the state of Meghalaya, India.
This act of terrorism and irreparable loss of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam would have without doubt been hurtful to all of us. Such acts of violence and terrorism only lead to loss of innocent lives therefore need to be stopped.
Finest Gentleman
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was the finest gentleman who India had the good fortune of having as President. He dedicated his life for the welfare of India and its people.
Dr Kalam was an inspirational mind, an excellent scientist and a great President yet he was the simplest human being one. He has left a void that can never be filled. May his soul rest in peace.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi has been Member of Parliament on National Party List since November 2008. He is currently Chairman of Parliament’s Law & Order Select Committee.
Our Staff Reporter adds:
The Editor of this newspaper met Dr Kalam at his office residence in New Delhi on June 27, 2011 when he was in the Indian capital as a part of a delegation led by Prime Minister John Key.
“You live in a beautiful country. I have many friends there,” he said.
Although a celebrated scientist, who reached the highest office in the world’s largest democracy, Dr Kalam’s heart and mind were with people. He loved children and believed in their value-added education.
Born on October 15, 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam specialised in Aeronautical Engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology.
He was one of the world’s most renowned scientists, educationists and poets.
Great Role Model
He often urged educationists to build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.
He developed India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), which successfully injected the ‘Rohini’ Satellite in the near earth Orbit in July 1980, making India a member of the exclusive Space Club.
Dr Kalam was responsible for the evolution of the launch vehicle programme of the Indian Space Research Organisation, development of ‘Agni’ and ‘Prithvi’ missiles and for building indigenous capability in critical technologies through networking of multiple institutions.
The Indian Government honoured him with ‘Bharat Ratna,’ the highest civilian award in 1997.
Photo :
Dr Abdul Kalam at his New Delhi residence in June 2011
