Ponraj, scientific adviser to ex-Prez, is close to completing book
A file picture of former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and his scientific adviser Dr V. Ponraj during one of their trips. (Photo: DC)
Chennai: Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who died a week ago had regretted that he could not address the Tamil Nadu Assembly to share his vision for the State, which made him come up with a book Puyalai thaandinaal thendral co-authored by his scientific adviser Dr V. Ponraj to be released in three months.
Speaking on “The Immortal Legend Dr APJ Abdul Kalam – Principles to Guide and Inspire Modern Leaders”, organised by Madras Management Association on Tuesday, Dr V.Ponraj said the former President had addressed 15 State Assemblies in the country but due to his busy schedule he could not address Tamil Nadu MLAs and share his dreams for the state.
“Kalam Sir called me one day and said we both are from Tamil Nadu but we have not shared our vision for the state in the Assembly, so we need to write a book (vision document) so that people will get to know our vision for Tamil Nadu. This is how the book started,” he said.
The publication has about 250 pages with 17 chapters of which seven have been completed when Dr Kalam was alive.
“I will complete the remaining 10 chapters with the discussion that I had with Sir (Kalam) before he died,” he said. The DRDO scientist also pointed out that Dr Kalam wanted to install a five MW solar power plant in Rashtrapati Bhavan between 2005 and 2007, which did not happen as the urban art commission voiced its concern that installing the power plant would damage the heritage building.
“Had the project been successful, it would have been an inspiration for the whole country to turn to solar power long ago. Kalam sir regretted that the project did not take off even after all other departments cleared the proposal,” he said.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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