JOIN USKalam stuck in elevator
Kalam, who was at the hospital for its inauguration, was in one of the elevators when it sank two feet down, due to overcrowding, after it reached the ground floor.
However, after a few people exited the elevator, it started to function normally and former president came out of the elevator safe and unhurt.
Later, while speaking at the inauguration of the 200-bed tertiary care multispecialty hospital, Kalam called upon doctors to conduct healthcare analysis particularly in rural areas, so that comprehensive healthcare facilities can be set up in these regions.
At the hospital, Kalam visited the new Cardiovascular Cathlab - Philips CV20, which is said to be the first Cathlab model being installed in South India.
PS not allowed in VIP exit
On Saturday evening, Kalam's personal secretary (PS) V Ponraj was not allowed inside the VIP exit at the Bengaluru International Airport by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.
The CISF personnel asked Kalam’s personal secretary to exit through the normal passenger’s exit, when Kalam intervened and said that his PS had certain important documents and he wanted Ponraj to accompany him.
However, when the personnel did not accede to his request, a disturbed Kalam said he would also use the normal exit as he did not wish to wait in the VIP lounge for his PS.
Finally, the CISF personnel agreed to allow the PS exit through the VIP exit this time, but with the rider that he would have to use the normal exit in the future. Ponraj, however, maintained that Kalam was not upset about the issue.
A few months ago, Kalam was in news when he was frisked by the ground staff of an American airliner. This incident drew public attention and was the topic of debate across the country.
Cartoonists have a gift, says former Prez
The small basement cartoon gallery off M G Road was overflooded with people on Sunday evening as the former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam stepped in to inaugurate the exhibition of caricatures by Shreyas Navare. Titled ‘Political Pickle’, Kalam appreciated Navare’s caricatures for its satirical take on Indian politics.
Recalling his first meeting with the artist at IIT, Mumbai, Kalam said: “When I entered the IIT campus, there were caricatures of me everywhere. I remember asking the director who the artist was.” He added that every cartoonist looks for an image in every situation and each of Navare’s caricatures had a message in it.
Kalam went on to say: “While all men are born equal, there are some who rise above the rest with practice and hardwork, which we call as a gift. Cartoonists have this gift.”
As a message for cartoonists in general, the former President put forth a question asking: “Each one of you should provide yourself with answers on how you want to be remembered. Do you want to be someone who fearlessly fought for the common man with your gift? Or do you want to be remembered as the one who brought social awareness?”
In conclusion, Kalam urged the print media to use more caricatures to generate social and political awareness.