Mangaluru: Late Kalam’s visits to Mangaluru memorable

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 28, 2015:  The citizens of Mangaluru and in fact people every where from all walks of life and children and youth are sure to feel the death of  former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who passed away July 27 pm.

 

 

Most people recall his last visit to Mangaluru in 2014.  Earlier, he had visited the city on February 25, 2009;  as the President, he had visited St. Aloysius College on March 28, 2003.

The District Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Committee  invited him and he had come to the city on April 1, 2014 and addressed students at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre.  he told the  students Mangaluru is a beautiful and vibrant place and that they had a greater role to play in making Mangaluru the cleanest  and best place.

late A P J recalling his links to Mangaluru said that when he was a student at the Madras Institute of Technology in 1954, the student, who sat along with was Mahabaleshwar Bhat from Mangalore.

He advised students to have a great dreams, acquire knowledge consistently,  work hard and not to be afraid of life but overcome them with wit.  A leader should not be afraid of problems. Former Prez  Kalam asked students to elect the best and honest candidates.

APJ Abdul Kalam received a standing ovation from the students and a camaraderie of sorts was in the air as the octogenarian interacted with the young heroes. He took his seat, waved at the students and said; “Can you hear me. You are fantastic guys.”

After his tenure as the President of India, he had addressed students and others on the topic “Me and my society” at the Corporation Bank head office at Pandeshwar on February 25, 2009.  The talk had been organised by the DK district administration.

Earlier  as the President of India he  had inaugurated the Information Technology, Research and Management Centre of St. Aloysius College on March 28, 2003.  Many have fond memories of him here. His sudden death in Shillong doing what he liked best, giving a talk on the evening of July 27, 2015, he collapsed on the dais and was rushed to hospital where he passed on. May this great soul rest in peace. the nation and most of the world are mourning the loss of a great man.