Film industry veterans express their grief over the sudden demise of former President of India
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam with actor Sivakumar (Filephoto)
He broke barriers, Vairamuthu, lyricist: I was shattered to hear the news. I can’t believe that a great person who was a bundle of knowledge and wisdom is no more. His being born in an economically weak family and rising through the ranks to become, first, a top scientist, and then the First Citizen of India was not by chance, but a result of his sheer commitment and accomplishments.
He believed that language was not a barrier if one wants to grow, and proved that one can study in his own mother tongue (Tamil here) and still become the head of a nation. He was an inspiration and role model for youth. He always said, ‘Dream is not that which you see while sleeping; it is something that does not let you sleep.’
I recall an incident when Dr. Kalam attended my 60th birthday celebrations last year. I welcomed Dr. Kalam by putting a colourful garland around his neck. But he quickly removed it and put it back on my neck. Such humbleness! He always motivated youngsters and will live eternally through his good deeds.
A great loss, Bharathiraja, filmmaker: Dr. Kalam was born simple, lived simple and was a true example for all of us. He was a great Tamilian and a symbol of our culture. A great loss for the entire nation, especially the youth! He always dreamt of making India a superpower.
Patience was his mantra, Vivekh, actor: It is a big loss for the entire nation. But he is always with us and his spiritual energy and soul will be with me to guide in my endeavours. On advice of Dr. Abdul Kalam, I started the Green Globe initiative as he directed me to plant 1 crore saplings. I am striving to do that and have planted 27 lakh saplings till now. He promised me that he would be present for an event which has been planned at Kovai when I complete planting 30 lakh saplings. I am sure he will still inspire me to achieve my target.
He basically insisted on three things — i) take care of parents, elders, they need to be protected; ii) don’t aim only to become a doctor or engineer, there are several other fields like nano technology where one can shine; iii) pay attention to global warming and wanted inter-linking of all the water resources in the country.
Patience and perseverance was the mantra of Dr. Kalam. It would be apt if the government celebrates his birthday as National Students’ Day as he devoted a huge part of his life for the well-being of students and also left us for the other world, while addressing a group of students.
“One day I got a call from Dr. Kalam and he asked me how my business was going. I thought he was asking about planting trees and I said, ‘Sir, I have completed 27 lakhs sapling recently’. He gave a hearty laugh and said, ‘I asked you about your cinema business! Concentrate 70 per cent on your profession of cinema and only 30 per cent should be allocated to planting trees’.”
Driving force of the youth, Sivakumar, actor:
Regardless of the cards that anyone has been dealt at child birth, their fates do not have to be decided by such uncontrollable beginnings. Dr Abdul Kalam personifies this by rising above his modest background through sheer force of principals — honesty, straight forwardness, hard work, talent and patriotism. He was loved by one and all, when he was the President and after. He was the driving force for millions of youth.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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