7:51 AM | S Anand |
Happy 72nd birthday, Dr. Kalam!

7:46 AM | S Anand |
Gosh, the opposition should really find better things to do than argue about the venue of the PM's lunch with the President. Especially given that they'd been doing the same thing.

12:39 AM | S Anand |
What has the President been up to the last month?

Felicitating 284 teachers, Narayana Murthy, ISRO and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.

Visiting Bhopal, Pokhran and Manipur.

Condemning lawless violence, the Rajdhani incident, Lone's killing and the Gandhinagar attack.

Appointing Chief Justices his secretary.

Meeting the opposition, the PM, ISG students, various parties, and of course, lots of children (Bhopal, Delhi).

These apart, he has been signing some bills, inaugurating of a polio programme, unveiling statues, and writing poetry.

If you ask me, the only interesting thing that happened to him was someone sending him rifle cartridges. And the only thing he's done by himself is gotten a school constructed. Is this a ceremonial President as well?

4:27 AM | S Anand |
The Kashmir Times discusses the powers of our President to implement his vision. Turns out that he can address the Parliament on any issue he feels like. Not surprising, perhaps, but no President has done it so far. It would be good if Dr. Kalam could ignite some passion in the minds of our leaders.

4:20 AM | S Anand |
Two "nuclear heads" to meet. Dr. Kalam will be meeting Leonid Kuchma, President of Ukraine, designer of missiles and satellites.

4:12 AM | S Anand |
Azad, from Akbarpur in Bihar, sent Dr. Kalam two rifle cartridges and a letter. Through the postman. Fortunately, Azad was mentally unstable, and thought it a good idea to send the cartridges to the President. (Hindustan Times)

Could anyone throw more light on this Azad?

1:48 AM | S Anand |
Interesting account of how Dr. Kalam's visit to MP resulted in a school at Khandwa. It is quite clear from his comments to the press, and his other actions, that children and education are a priority with him.

I wonder... is there an inside story behind that?

1:43 AM | S Anand |
A summary of Dr. Kalam's 11 weeks of Presidency by The Straits Times. I found two pieces of information interesting: that he conducts classes at Anna University (Madras) through video-conferencing. And that he plans to establish centres with video facilities across the country so that students everywhere can communicate directly with him.

12:18 AM | S Anand |
In response to Dr. Kalam's 3 questions on polls in Gujarat, the Supreme Court decided that it's OK to have elections till December, and will think about the rest of the questions on September 17th.

7:12 AM | S Anand |
DialogNow, a collaborative blog about India and Pakistan, has a
post on the recently returned poll ordinance.

11:04 PM | S Anand |
The Cabinet sends the poll reforms ordinance back to the President, as it is. Now, he is constitutionally forced to sign it.

The story so far:

• In 1951, The Representation of the People Act laid out who can stand for elections. It also says if you were convicted for this and that, you can't contest.
  
• On May 2nd 2002, the Supreme Court said: "Candidates must reveal if they were arrested (and why), and the state of their finances." Logical, because you need this to figure out whether the candidate can contest or not.
  
• On August 16th 2002, the Government discussed and approved an ordinance on poll reforms. They made it clear that even if a person is arrested twice for "heinous crimes", he/she could contest. It's only if the person is convicted that he/she cannot. And that financials would have to be fully disclosed. But, the ordinance went clearly against the SC order (and was intended to nullify it).
  
• On August 16th 2002, the National Campaign for Electoral Reforms approached the President and laid out the conflict. The SC says, "thou shalt reveal your convictions and thy spouse/dependents' finances." The Ordinance says, "No matter what the SC or the EC or anyone says, thou need not reveal more than what this Ordinance says." Specifically, the some details on convictions and dependents' finances need not be revealed.
  
• On August 23rd 2002, as we know, the President sent the Ordinance back, seeking clarification on the conflict. Now, this was probably only a clarification. But the Cabinet sat, discussed it as if the President returned the Ordinance, and sent it back in the same form.
  
• Now, the President has to sign it. The Act will be passed.
  

Now, this is a tricky issue. The SC said something. The Lok Sabha said the opposite. Which view should prevail? And what should the President's role be in all this?

12:35 PM | S Anand |
The Presidential menu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Thanks, Navneet.

9:29 PM | S Anand |
Sathish found a hoarding for United India Insurance featuring the President.

Did it happen with the President's consent? If not, is it legal?

8:33 PM | S Anand |
The President has asked 3 questions to the SC:

1. Can the Election Commission say "no elections" even if it means no Government for more than 6 months?
2. If yes, should President's rule be imposed in Gujarat?
3. Or should it just carry on the election as best as it can?

The Gujarat assembly was dissolved on 19 July. So a new assembly is needed before 19 Jan 2003. I guess that's enough time to figure out what to do, and have the elections.

1:52 AM | S Anand |
I finally figured what the issue at Gujarat is. The EC says "Don't have elections in Gujarat. The place is in a mess." But Article 174 says, "You can't have no Government for more than 6 months." BJP says, "Hey, we want elections, because we'll win." But that's not good enough. So they say, "Article 143 says the President can stop everything and check the Supreme Court what they think, if he thinks necessary.

I don't know if the President thought it necessary. But he has agreed to check with the Supreme Court.

It is probably a safe decision. After all, the Supreme Court's decision is binding. But was it necessary? More importantly, whose decision was it, really?

1:45 AM | S Anand |
Satyen Mohapatra writes about Y S Rajan, Dr. Kalam's friend, who accompanied him on his Gujarat visit.

What I find interesting in the article is that "Kalam’s Hindi is poor." That's interesting. I can relate to that, but I definitely did not expect it.

11:06 PM | S Anand |
The election commission ruled out early elections in Gujarat. The State is still in bad shape, and many voters aren't at home.

BJP was sure of winning, so didn't like the result. Now the matter will be referred to the President and the Supreme Court. The decision will be made on Wednesday. How independent will Dr. Kalam's decision be?

4:14 AM | S Anand |
PakNews doesn't like it that Musharraf "shamelessly greets the enemy" on Independence day. Pretty strong. I suppose the Pakistan press would be at least as biased against India as the Indian press is against Pakistan.

11:21 AM | S Anand |
Atanu critique's Kalam's vision arguing that economic development should come before "freedom". Pradip rebuts.

My view is that Dr. Kalam talks about freedom in the sense of fundamental rights -- along the lines of Tagore and the American declaration of independence. That all men are created equal, free to pursue their "inalienable rights".

China traded this freedom for economic development. Somewhat like Sparta in 500BC. India has chosen democracy. Somewhat like Athens. In the war between Sparta and Athens, Sparta won. (In a few centuries, neither kingdom existed.)

But I'd rather live in a civilisation like Athens. Better culture. Greater equality. And less chance of a civil war.

10:10 PM | S Anand |
Nice to see the President drop the dress code.

10:07 PM | S Anand |
"Excellency, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan and my own behalf, I have pleasure to convey to you and the people of India our warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of India." -- President Pervez Musharraf.

I don't know what's with this "Excellency" thing is about. Dr. Kalam addressed the President of Ghana the same way. Are all President's addressed this way? (Not the American President, though...)

9:11 PM | S Anand |
The President's first official visit will be to Gujarat. Sabarmati Ashram, earthquake, riots... the stated reasons are good. But the upcoming elections could be a reason too. After a fair bit of arguing between politicians, he's finally heading to Gujarat, while the State government's trying to make the best of it.


Incredible. The first visit the President makes, and it turns into a mud-pit of political agendas.

10:22 AM | S Anand |
Charan Lal Sahu, a Supreme Court advocate who filed nomination for Presidency, has questioned Dr. Kalam's nomination. Apparantly the nomination lacks his antecedents and age. If it were true, does that invalidate his Presidency? Probably not, given that he's been sworn in.

8:25 AM | S Anand |
Dr. Kalam continues his early morning walks at around 4am. Only hitch is, so do 100 security personnel -- some of whom stay up all night.

7:16 AM | S Anand |
Nine pilgrims were killed when a militant lobbed a grenade and opened fire on devotees en route Amarnath. As it was, people were dying of natural causes. On top of that, they try a bomb, and then this attack, just a day after George Fernandes visited Amarnath.

The President condemns the attach. So does Pakistan. But India blames Pakistan. India blames Lashkar-e-Toiba. But life goes on, albeit with a little less enthusiasm.

6:55 AM | S Anand |
Now it's Ms Bhutto's turn to send President Kalam gifts. Not mangoes, but books by Robert Kaplan.

12:10 AM | S Anand |
An interview (PDF) with Dr. Kalam in August 1990 on the management of technology development programmes, when he headed the DRDO missile programme.

12:10 AM | S Anand |
Memoirs from Rajinder Taggar on an press conference with Dr. Kalam. Towards the end, he points out that he "... needs to improve his outer appearance to match his bright self inside."

5:35 AM | S Anand |
Thanjai Nalankilli asks whether Dr. Kalam was "pressured or even 'black-mailed' into studying Hindi?" Now, I must admit that, irrespective of the answer to that question, it's the most interesting one I've heard raised post Dr. Kalam's election.

10:10 PM | S Anand |
Gosh, this mango business is getting crazy. Dawn (an English paper in Pakistan) talks about Pakistani mangoes being better.

4:52 AM | S Anand |
I found this discussion thread (seems an offshoot from abdulkalam.com, not sure how they're linked) asking for Dr. Kalam's e-mail ID. Well, there's the official one, presidentofindia@rb.nic.in. But I think the personal one he uses are apjabdulkalam@yahoo.com and apjabdulkalam@annauniv.edu.

4:17 AM | S Anand |
Wonder what happened to the campaign for Narayana Murthy for President. I also wonder who would have made a better President. Narayana Murthy might have tried to run the country like a company. Except that the President is not the CEO, and India is not a politics-free company. Abdul Kalam has run a Government organisation. That experience may in fact count for more. Would it?

8:58 PM | S Anand |
President Musharraf has sent mangoes to President Kalam. (Paknews, The Hindu) OK, that's a good start, though they had to be routed via Dubai, because Pakistan's flights can't land in India. Hope Vajpayee and Kalam enjoyed them. (The Hindu)

8:53 PM | S Anand |
A posting on soc.culture.usa on India's "missile man as President" has sparked off a debate.


Incidentally, most of the discussion I've seen so far focuses on Kalam being (1) a missile man, (2) a Muslim, and (3) a bachelor. What does our President need to do to change this image?

8:51 PM | S Anand |
JK's review of Wings of Fire.

9:23 PM | S Anand |
From what his family and neighbours think of him, Abdul Kalam comes out a simple and unassuming man. But will these characteristics suffice in a President?

9:17 PM | S Anand |
This one's funny. The Lover's Organisation for Volutary Exhibition (LOVE) in Calcutta protested that President is a bachelor. (So is the Prime Minister. That worried them too.) (Avanova)


Incidentally, LOVE has been been up to some interesting things. Like reviving love letters through SMS (BBC). Campaigning for free love zones (BBC). Organising a "kiss and hug" protest on March 26th (CNN) to demand the same. Not bad ideas, mind...

9:05 PM | S Anand |
Little Neha wrote to Dr. Kalam, asking for help with her elocution competition at school. Not only did she get help, she was also invited to the President's swearing in ceremony. (Gulf News). So were 99 other children. (Hindustan Times)

5:32 AM | S Anand |
Now that we need a Vice President, politics is back in action again. (Gulf News)

10:25 AM | S Anand |
Is Dr. Kalam's ascendency to Presidency a sign of social mobility in India? Asian Times uses this and other examples to demonstrate upward mobility through the democratic process.


I tend to agree. I remember when "a humble farmer" had become Prime Minister, a friend of mine remarked, "Now I have full confidence. I can become a Prime Minister too." Jokes apart, guess social class is not a showstopper in politics.

10:19 AM | S Anand |
From Paknews: "... the architect of India's nuclear missile arsenal and considered 'mad scientist' who triggered nuclear arms race in South Asia..."


I suppose it would be a little scary. We were almost on the brink of a war, and now we have a President who headed the nuclear programme. Similar thoughts are all but voiced on the Washington Post.

8:44 PM | S Anand |
Dr. M Vidyasagar offers his personal reminiscences of Abdul Kalam. Dr. Vidyasagar is an EVP at TCS, Hyderabad.

8:38 PM | S Anand |
Biographies of Abdul Kalam are posted at IndiaInfo, Murali's personal website and at siafdu at Geocities.

8:30 PM | S Anand |
In his first few days as President, Abdul Kalam has visited memorials, visited school children, hosted lunches, witnessed a controversy and attended a funeral. Is that all a President's supposed to do?


Well, he did appointed 3 high court judges. But surely Dr. Kalam's role goes further? I wonder what he thinks he could accomplish, as the President? Realistically...

5:10 AM | S Anand |
Abdul Kalam is an aeronautical engineer, not a scientist. His contributions have been more towards R&D project management. Reason, perhaps, for him to make a better President than a scientist would (The Strait Times).

4:51 AM | S Anand |
What's the Muslim community's reaction to Abdul Kalam's appointment? Dr. Rafiq Zakaria asks What's Muslim about Kalam? The article has led to a lot of interesting reactions (via Google).

4:42 AM | S Anand |
This article on Rediff takes a look at the influences behind the Presidential choice. Suggests that Krishna Kant died broken-hearted (soc.culture.indian).

12:39 PM | S Anand |
Rediff has a comprehensive coverage on Abdul Kalam's route to Presidency. I have tried to duplicate the same with clippings from the rest of the web, leading up to the nomination.

12 May	With the NDA backing BJP, the search for a new President is on. (The Tribune)
16 May	Abdul Kalam's name is voiced by individuals... (The Hindu)
17 May	...and by groups. (e-mail)
18 May	Mulayam Singh Yadav suggested Abdul Kalam's name to the Prime Minister (The Hindu)
20 May	Various names are discussed. (Kalam, Hegde, Narayanan)
22 May	BJP pushes for the Vice-President's post, leaving the President's seat open for other parties (Telegraph India)
23 May	Samata Party pushes for Abdul Kalam. (Tribune India)
26 May	BJP finds Abdul Kalam's name in strong reckoning. (Tribune India)
30 May	Narayanan, Alexander, Karan Singh and Abdul Kalam are in the race. (Deccan Herald)
3 Jun	Public support for Abdul Kalam flows in. (The Hindu)
5 Jun	Narayan drops out. Only two serious contenders: Alexander and Abdul Kalam. (The Hindu)
8 Jun	Abdul Kalam appears disinterested. (Frontline)
10 Jun	Vajpayee nominates Abdul Kalam (The Tribune, The Hindu).
11 Jun	Most people are happy. (BJP, Shiv Sena, TDP, SP, Kalam).
11 Jun	But some are not. (Opposition, Congress, Narayanan)

After this point, you're best off following Rediff's coverage.

10:28 AM | S Anand |
Abdul Kalam was sworn in as President on Thursday, 25th July 2002 (BBC, Express India). The transcript of his speech is here.

10:07 AM | S Anand |
Abdul Kalam's autobiography, Wings of Fire (available at Amazon, Fabmart) has received some very good reviews. Outlook and Hindustan Times among the publications, and from Gangan Prathap, Demicom and Indbazaar among others.

7:07 AM | S Anand |
I sat this morning, wondering what a good project on the web could be. Suddenly, it struck me that India now had someone to talk about: Dr. Abdul Kalam. I SMSed Kalidas, another admirer, and he was enthusiastic. Here's where we are.

The point is to find interesting nuggets of news and information related to Dr. Kalam. And we'll post as often as we're able to. Wish us luck!