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Kalam shares his vision of India in riot-torn Gujarat

On his first official visit to a state after assuming charge, President A P J Abdul Kalam on Monday charmed his way into the hearts of Gujaratis, interacting with schoolchildren and sharing his vision of India.

Commencing his two-day visit to the riot-ravaged state with an interaction with his favourite audience - schoolchildren -- at Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Kalam said his role models were from Gujarat.

One was Gandhi, who took a vow in 1930 not to return to the ashram till India was free, and the other renowned space scientist Vikram Sarabhai, "who showed how a vision can be converted into a mission", Kalam said in his inimitable style to a thunderous applause from the young audience.

Though Kalam said he would take only one question from the students, apparently overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, he answered a volley of queries ranging from his feelings on becoming the President to the importance of swadeshi (self-reliance) in the nation's development.

"S..W..E..A..T", the President spelt out when asked what sublime quality was required to become like him.

After replying to their queries, the President met the first ten toppers of Class X of the Gujarat board exams, which were held despite the communal tensions.

Reciting from his pet poem Song of Youth, Kalam, who was flanked by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, at one point said, "A small aim is a crime. The honourable chief minister has to give you a big aim."

The President's tour of the ashram began with a surprise. Soon after entering the premises, which was packed with security personnel and visitors, Kalam got down on his knees to put his signature (in Tamil) on a rangoli of Gandhi.

His first stop at the ashram was Hriday Kunj. A charkha used by Gandhi drew Kalam's attention and he spent a few moments trying his hand at it.

Later, he stopped at the Vinoba-Mira Kutir where tribal dancers were awaiting him. Throwing caution to the wind, Kalam broke the protocol to meet the dancers and exchange a few words with them.

At the visitor's book he wrote: "I was inspired to visit this ashram where Gandhiji lived and gave us freedom."

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