Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Menteri Besar, Perak launched the commemorative stamps on Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, (late) former president of India as Scientist, Humanitarian, Luminary and Visionary. The ceremony was organised by the Perak Indian Chamber of Commerce (PICC). During the ceremony held at the Town Hall, the Prestige Stamp Booklet was presented to Zambry by K. Seven Munusamy, President of PICC. T.S. Tirumurti Indian High Commissioner witnessed the ceremony.
Zambry said that Abdul Kalam is not only recognised in India, but throughout the world as a scientist who spearheaded India’s space technology programme that earned him the nickname “Missile Man of India”. He is a humanitarian who believed in individual progress and motivated people from all walks of life through his messages, speeches and writings which also earned him the title of “People’s President’’. He believed in the equality of mankind and that religious bigotry has no place in the modern world.
Zambry added that Dr Kalam is one real life example of a leader. He died without leaving any property, except for a pair of shoes, a watch, three pieces of suits, six pairs of pants, six shirts and 2,500 books.
Zambry concluded his talk with a quote by Kalam “I’m not a handsome guy, but I can give my hand-to-someone who needs help.”
V. Ponraj, Scientific Advisor to the (Late) Kalam said that Kalam envisioned that ignited minds of the youth are the most powerful resource on earth, above the earth and under the earth. Igniting youthful minds will enable them to achieve greater heights in their academic pursuits and make them enlightened citizens who will bring honour and repute to the nation.
Kalam is the only teacher who met 2.5 million students across the world, interacted with them, answered their questions and made them take an oath to become enlightened citizens to make their respective countries proud.
PICC has set up the Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Human Development Fund.
Abdul Kalam died at the age of 84, on July 27 this year. He collapsed while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong, Meghalaya, and was taken to hospital, where he died two and a half hours later.
A. Jeyaraj
