New Delhi: He has arguably been the most popular President India has had.
Known for his unassuming and humble attitude, it’s comes as no surprise that outgoing president A P J Abdul Kalam made a fitting statement to the affect on Thurdsay.
"On the 25th I will leave Rashtrapati Bhawan after having spent five glorious years there. What I have got are two small suitcases. I will go with two small suitcases," an emotional Kalam was quoted as saying in his address at the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC).
He also said he has a large reserve of books that he will take with him.
In what was perhaps his last public function as the head of the state, Kalam reiterate his Vision 2020 and said he had “an advice for the countrymen”. The advice was: Don't take gifts that come with a purpose and build families with character and good value system.
The statement - that came on the day elections to the next occupant of Rahstrapati Bhavan took place - evoked a huge round of applause.
The 75-year-old scientist-turned-President, who turned philosophical and nostalgic, recalled how his father had taught him not to accept any gifts.
"Yesterday, a well-known person gave me a gift of two pens. I had to return them with unhappiness," he said, also quoting from the ancient Hindu code of law `Manusmriti' that by accepting gifts the divine light in the person gets extinguished.
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