Kalam’s dream was to make nation terrorism-free: Ex-OSD

Tribune News Service

Mohali, August 23

On the day of his death, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was deeply concerned with the terror attack at Dina Nagar in Gurdaspur, said Srijan Pal Singh, former OSD to Dr Kalam. Srijan Pal Singh was in the town to attend a special programme, “Kalam Aaj Aur Kal”, to pay tributes to Dr Kalam. The programme was organised by the Aryans Group of Colleges at the PHD Chamber, Sector 31.

While interacting with the audience, Srijan Pal Singh said Dr Kalam was deeply concerned with the incident happened in Punjab on his final day. “Dr Kalam’s dream was to make the nation terrorism-free. The final two hours of Dr Kalam’s life had gone in discussion on terrorism as a threat to sustainability with special reference to the terror attack at Dina Nagar in Gurdaspur,” said Singh.

Dr Kalam died on July 27, the same day of terror attack in Dina Nagar.

Dr Kalam’s last words to Singh were: “Funny guy. Are you doing well?”. Talking about his simplicity, Singh said Dr Kalam always introduced everybody as friend - whether it be his secretaries, his driver, his gardener, his cook or the people who maintained his house.

“Dr Kalam used to say “If you are blessed with intelligence and empowered with education – it is your responsibility to change the world,” said Singh.

Dr Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges, while speaking on the occasion said Dr Kalam had always been a guide and motivator to the youth of India. The best homage to him would be to follow the principles that he adhered all throughout his life.

He said Dr Kalam was a person of extraordinary vision, honesty and remarkable intellect.