Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP, Shashi Tharoor, has remembered former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on his 92nd birth anniversary. A memoir written by Shashi Tharoor on the BBC website has become a reminiscent tribute to Kalam and his views that ignited young minds to reach new heights beyond expectations.

Tharoor has also shared a photo of himself sharing moments with APJ Kalam on the occasion. Tharoor portrays Kalam as the “people”s president” who reached out to ordinary people, particularly the youth, to “ignite their minds,” borrowing the title of one of his five bestselling books. Tharoor fondly recalls Kalam”s idiosyncratic PowerPoint presentations outlining his vision for India”s future, complete with instructional poems for children, as well as his lectures on topics ranging from solar energy to the importance of broadband connectivity for India”s villages, and more.

On his 92nd birth anniversary, recalling the life and legacy of the peerless APJ Abdul Kalam: https://t.co/25iUeEPweP pic.twitter.com/8ELIzjUHG9

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 15, 2023

Tharoor also commends Kalam”s ability to embrace other cultures, irrespective of religion. Kalam was a scientist who could recite classical Tamil poetry, play the rudra-veena (a traditional South Indian instrument), and listen to Carnatic devotional music every day without compromising his religious ideals. Shashi Tharoor views Kalam as a true Indian, given his ability to accept ideas from different sources without any conditions or hesitations.

Abdul Kalam also embraced simplicity, even as he held the highest position in the state, as Tharoor remembers. With this quality, he remained in the hearts of the people as an idol even after stepping down from the presidency.

Tharoor highlights a collection of memoirs about Kalam, such as him patiently waiting for a bus, having breakfast at his favorite teashop, and conversing with people from backgrounds as humble as the one he had risen from. In this simplicity lies the secret of his ability to connect with people across the boundaries of age, class, religion, and region, serving as the hallmark of his simplicity.

With Kalam”s passing, the nation was left orphaned. Tharoor poignantly concludes his memoir by noting that the nation mourned Kalam”s death but would continue to celebrate his life for a long time.