Candid Thoughts

Ganpati Bappa Morya

2010-09-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

They say all good tasks should start with Ganesh Vandana. So after a long gap I am restarting my blog during the auspicious Ganesh utsav…and what better topic than the Vignaharta himself.

I am not so much of a religious person. But if you ask me my favourite festival it is definitely Ganpati. It is probably the favourite for a majority of Maharashtra’s population. I often wonder what is so special about this festival that so many, so enthusiastically, forego their peaceful lives to be part of the commotion. What makes the elephant God such a loved deity?

I think the sheer playful child-like image of Ganpati is in itself a big mesmerizing factor (Hats-off to the artist who first created the image or to the author who scripted the story of the elephant-faced God. Talk about “thinking out of the box”!!!). This very image allows humans to so fearlessly dress the Lord in the way they like. Just like a cute boy in a fancy dress competition, Ganesh willingly adorns whatever get-up his guardians wish to see him in. A traditional pheta or an intricately designed crown; decked with gold jewels or with a simple flower garland; Ganpati looks charming in all forms. What else, we love to see him in the avatar of other Gods as well (Krishna being more popular). Has any other God dared to dress up like his counterparts? But Ganpati is free of all worldly, and heavenly, boundaries. Guess what…I have actually come across a ‘cricket team’ of Ganpatis displayed at a handicraft exhibition. Only deep-rooted friendship can allow man to take such liberties. I think this very feeling of friendship (which surpasses mere respect), is what makes Ganpati special.

In midst of all the music and lights that surround Ganesh Utsav, what really astounds you is the flood of creativity. It flaunts itself everywhere, right from Ganpati idols to the thematic displays and the Lords costumes to the range of offerings. Take the modaks for example. It is amazing to see the varieties in which the same prasad can be prepared. Not surprising it is Ganpati’s favourite, no matter which avatar he has taken. Another gripping factor is the exemplary work of sculptors. Ever glanced at the eyes of Ganesh idols? It feels as if they are talking to you. May be the God is actually showing his presence…enjoying every moment with his devotees.

This year Ganesh Utsav holds a special meaning for me. It was for the first time that my little angel was introduced to Bappa and I pray that this new bond of friendship also grows stronger every year……………..Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Lavkar Ya….

Quest for Quota

2010-04-11T23:58:00.001-07:00

After facing roadblocks for 14 years, the women’s reservation bill was finally passed by the Rajya Sabha. As anticipated, it met stiff resistance from certain expected quarters. The only difference was that the opposition was camouflaged in the garb of “quota within quota” gimmick. The opponents claim that if the bill is passed in its current form, it will not serve its purpose as it will benefit only the elitist class. No doubt the issue needs deliberation but the intentions of the opponents are highly questionable. Are they really concerned about fair representation or is this merely an excuse to somehow defer women’s reservation indefinitely.

Looking at the track record of the key opponents, the latter seems more obvious. Does a politician, who went to the extent of making his totally unqualified wife the Chief Minister of a State, have any moral right to talk about fair representation? Lalu’s key supporter Mulayam Singh Yadav also has a history of fielding his daughter-in-law in Lok Sabha by-elections. Agreed, women from backward classes do need special attention and political representation. But are new quotas going to ensure their development? What guarantee do we have that this will not create more Rabri Devis?

There is no doubt that the women’s representation bill is a big step forward in empowering women. So every care must be taken to ensure that its end purpose is achieved. Therefore the argument that the bill needs fine-tuning is also justified. But instead of having more quotas, why not have a minimum qualification criterion for all women contesting on the reserved seat? By qualification I don’t mean educational degrees. More apt criteria would be women who have done significant field work in the area of women empowerment for a minimum of say 5 years. The work could be through an NGO, savings group or independently. Such a criterion will provide a level-playing field for women from all sections. Sure, even this standard could be misused but there will be some basis for keeping checks on the contesting candidate.

India is still far behind as far as gender equality is concerned. Only women can truly be sensitive to the urgency of reforms required in this field. So let us not allow vested interests to divide us on the basis of caste or on any other phony reason.

Can Artists Enjoy Unrestrained Right to Express?

2010-03-04T04:41:00.001-08:00

Controversial artist M.F.Hussain is back in news - this time for his Qatar nationality. The whole media is portraying the event as a national shame. So much so, that the Home Minister too had to interfere. I personally feel the media is not only being partial, but also succumbing to the artist’s bizarre ways of gaining popularity. However the event does revive the debate over social boundaries vs. artists’ right to express.

I must say, my views in this matter are somewhat conservative. I agree that a creative mind should get a channel to express itself. However does this mean that no social norms should apply for such expressions? If not, then why do we have a censor board for movies? Can’t film directors justify sensitive scenes in the name of creativity? Why are cyber laws becoming so stringent the world over? Why protection of religious sentiments finds mention in the constitution of most democracies? …This is because certain boundaries are necessary for maintaining law and order in society. It is the responsibility of every artist to adhere to these boundaries. If these boundaries are very stringent then legal recourse is always available in a democracy like India.

Now coming to our so called legendary artist – Hussain. The artist who is infamous for depicting Hindu goddesses in nude. I wonder why Mr. Hussain even explored this subject. Had he utilized all the other areas of his creative grey matter? Would it be wrong to say that such a portrayal can also be termed as porn? I mean, if an internet game portrayed goddesses in such a manner wouldn’t strict cyber laws apply? Besides, even a child in India can anticipate that such a depiction will arouse religious sentiments. Inspite of this, Mr. Hussain dared to play around with deities not belonging to his own religion.

Let me ask the media - what if Mr. Hussain depicts a Muslim saint in a similar fashion? Would any Middle East country let him set foot on their land, let alone grant him nationality? Is protection of religious sentiments in India only restricted to minorities? Is his piece of work any different from an anti-minority speech delivered by the hindutva brigade?

I respect secular values as much as my friends in the media do. But I also respect my religion and expect followers of other faiths to appreciate my beliefs. In my view Mr. Hussain is as guilty as any other fanatic and the last thing he deserves is being invited back to secular India. It is high time the media did some self-introspection and gave fair judgments.

Mile Sur Mera Tumhara - Too Good for a Remake

2010-02-10T00:38:00.000-08:00

Remixes or remakes of music albums have never appealed to my senses - auditory or visual. I somehow managed to gulp down spoilt versions of good old film melodies. As if this torture was not enough, over-enthused musicians ventured into patriotic songs – the rich compositions that rest at the heart of our national pride. A.R.Rehman’s techno-take on "Vande Mataram" failed to make its mark. With due respect to the music maestro, the remix only proved that over-straining vocal cords does not invoke greater nationalism.

Just when I thought Mother India is now spared, another calamity has struck. This time it is our much loved “mile sur mera tumhara” - the song my generation grew up with. Its lyrics, its music, and its video, so deeply entrenched in our memory. The album – based on national integration – is probably one of the best patriotic videos produced in modern India.

Zoom TV has now produced a remake of this treasured piece. Not to mention - it is a complete disaster. Unlike the original video, which features local population as well, the new video is only a celebrity ensemble. Besides, the actors’ expressions are extremely artificial and exaggerated. It is hilarious to see some of them pose in designer outfits and croon for the unity of the country. How simple yet graceful was the appearance of the otherwise gorgeous Sharmila, Hema and Tanuja in the original video? The remake appears more like a fashion show shot in different parts of India.

To add to the mess, the altered music is a complete disappointment. While the tune is unnecessarily stretched for Hindi lyrics, the music director falls back on the original tune for certain regional notes. Not to mention the never-ending track, (16 mins) which attempts to accommodate the whole galaxy of today’s stars. You really need a strong heart to sit through the complete video.

India’s entertainment industry is currently enjoying the best of talent, at both artistic and technical levels. Financing and marketing has also become more structured. In such thriving conditions, why is precious talent and money being wasted on re-makes? Why not produce something original and even better? Why not make a new anthem which casts the same magic on the younger generation, as mile sur mera tumhara did for us.

If you still have the courage to watch this remake here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mbBloTAvPE

Saluting the Mahabharat

2009-12-21T06:49:00.000-08:00

Years back, during the Doordarshan era, an extravagant series captivated almost the entire country. Mahabharat – B.R.Chopra’s serial based on the most famous Indian epic – was telecast every Sunday. I was just in school then but the serial’s smooth narrative, in the backdrop of majestic sets, gripped my young mind.

Now, years later, the same serial is again being telecast on a private channel and I again find myself glued to the TV. However it is not the grandeur that appeals to me now. It is something deeper that holds the attention of my somewhat matured mind. May be, I am now able to comprehend the inherent truth in every event and character of the Mahabharat or grasp the depth of ideas propounded in the Bhagwatgita.

The Hindu epic (or, better we look at it as a classic) hits upon every virtue and vice that we observe around us even to-day. Another appealing aspect is that no situation or character is depicted as black or white. While the hero Arjun is consumed with pride, villain Duryodhan is quick to bond with lower class Karna (His initial motive could be selfish but the friendship strengthened later is definitely genuine). Every character, right from the highly revered Bhishma to the distinguished guru Dronacharya, has committed major blunders. Even the almighty is not spared. Lord Krishna’s lovable but shrewd character at times borders craftiness and partiality.

There hardly seems to be any social issue of current relevance that the Mahabharat has not touched upon. Yudishthir putting up Draupadi at stake in a gambling game, and her subsequent abuse, is a glaring example of “commodification of women”. This continues to be a gripping problem even in today’s emancipated world. In fact, providing a safe society for women is one of the reasons given by Krishna to justify the war of Kurukshetra.

The ill fated life of Karna by itself touches so many communal problems – right from dilemma of a single mother to rigidity of the class system. Sidelining of Karna’s talent, due to his father’s occupation, seems to sow the seed of caste divide that the country went on to experience. Mahabharat faintly suggests that course of the story (or shall we say ‘his’story) could have changed if Karna’s rights had got timely recognition. The depth of Mahabharat manifests in the fact that it delicately questions the class system that is so deeply inscribed in the Vedas itself.

After listening to three whole episodes of the Bhagwatgita, I realized how loosely we tend to use certain words. What does the word “dharma” mean to us? – Some may say God. For others it may denote temples or poojas. But that’s not how Krishna defines it in the Gita. When he tells Arjun that fighting the kurukshetra war is his “dharma”, there is just one simple meaning – it is man’s inherent duty towards “justice”. Establishing a just administration was the only underlying objective behind the war. This very crux of justice has taken a backseat in the “dharma” that we now practice.

On the same lines, a “yogi” is not necessarily a saint or someone with magical powers. The Bhagwatgita defines a yogi as simply an individual who thinks beyond the obvious. He’s the one who can visualize far reaching consequences of human action. It was surprising to hear Krishna say “when a common man cuts trees to cook his daily meals, a yogi will plant trees to preserve the balance of nature”. What could be of more relevance to mankind today?

Mahabharat is certainly a must-read. For a lazy reader like me the televised serial comes as a boon. In the midst of soaps and realty shows, which firmly uphold the reputation of the “idiot box”, here is something more thought-provoking to watch. Besides, you will not help appreciating the impeccable direction, well researched dialogues and the near flawless performance by the cast. And as a story, one can hardly find anything more gripping, stimulating, and intricate yet crystal-clear and enlightening!

Small Wonder

2009-04-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

The long-awaited, much hyped dream car "Nano" is finally set to embark on the assembly line. Press reports state that over 50,000 booking forms have already been sold. Like so many other first time car seekers I have closely followed all developments of this economy wagon.

When I decided to buy a car I only had enough savings to afford a small second hand. The cheapest option was a Maruti 800 but the vehicle seemed too crammed to survive hours of never ending traffic jams. Besides, compared to the trendy little chariots like the Santro, Swift or Spark, the 800 appeared to be malnourished. But even the second hand Santros and Swifts weighed down my budget. After doing some survey and eyeing every compact car at the signals, I almost boiled down on the slightly pumped-up version of 800 i.e. the Maruti Zen. It was at this time Tata Motors announced the launch of Nano. And that completely changed the direction of my mini auto project.

A brand new car in just Rs.1,00,000 !!!. Just what I wanted. I must have read every possible article on this wonder car. First came all the oohs and aahs, and then, the negatives popped up. It can be only used for city driving, I was advised. But then who wants to hit the highway anyway. Engine capacity is only about 600cc....but who cares what that means. As long as this four-wheeler safely gets me to my office, parlour, shopping mall and back home, why bother doing the maths? It is toooooo tiny for a family....well, it is at least bigger than the bike that we currently own. Better still...it gives a roof over your head, windows to protect you from the liberal emission of carbon-monoxide, and can carry two more passengers safely. (if not comfortably) And of course it is definitely more stylish than a second-hand skeletal Maruti 800 and cheaper than a used zen.

Since I refused to budge, they decided to attack my budget. Car experts advised me that after all the paper-work, accessories, upgrades etc etc, the car price is going to exceed Rs.1,00,000. Plus they are those complex jargon of ex-showroom prices, deliveries etc. But then doesn't all this gibberish hold true for other cars. I mean, rather spend money on a bright new vehicle than waste it on treating tired engines of a pre-used car.

Then came the final assault. Let the car first hit the roads....why be the guinea pig? Isn't it wise to wait for customer reviews?...Well !!! I hate to admit but that last missile has hit the target just right. I can feel my brave stand slowly crumbling. I just may have to follow my survey's interim recommendations. The reason? - If I book the Nano in April, I need a good reserve of luck to get delivery this year. Waiting for customer reviews and then booking makes this chance even lower. And if I have to wait for more than a year for Tata's mini, I might as well save more to buy a brand new time tested zen. Oops !!!...that gets me back to square one.

Still confused, I will now commence a new auto study for the changed market conditions. My hypotheses....
1. A second-hand tested car is better than an untested first-hand.
2. When your knowledge about cars is inadequate, better trust the knowledgeable.

......But deep within I still hope that the Nano truly proves a 'small wonder' for those who courageously purchase it !!!

Slumdog - Not One in a Million

2009-03-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

It was only after the hoopla over Slumdog Millionaire had subsided that I got my chance to see the movie. By this time my expectations were sky high. And why not?..the winner of the Best Picture Oscar has always been one in a million. So it was with this benchmark that I sat to watch Slumdog Millionaire. As the film rolled by I waited for a shot that takes away a "wow" !! But instead, I came across some major loopholes. In fact the film left me confused, if not a bit disappointed.

The film, as we all know, has been praised (and also criticised) for its realistic depiction of the Indian slum life. I agree that every realistic film does have its elements of imagination. I also subscribe to the view that such creativity is necessary for delivering the underlying message. As such, the questions of the television show, which coincide with events in the hero's life, form a very interesting thread binding the film. However imagination seems to run too far when a blind beggar knows the fact that a hundred dollar bill carries Benjamin Franklin's image. Besides, this blind boy begs in Mumbai's railway subways, which hardly see any American tourists. Had this incidence been shot at the Gateway of India, one may have forced oneself to believe, though remotely. A bigger fallacy is the fact that the hero (Jamal) does not recognize Gandhiji's image on an Indian note. Going ahead the hero (who is unaware of Gandhi) is smart enough to confidently search for his brother's contact at a call centre terminal. Not to say he is a chaywala (canteen boy) at this time. It would be surprising to see a chaywala even switch on a computer, let alone meddle with a complicated screen. Agreed the film is an adaptation of a novel but these exaggerations appear too glaring to be ignored.

Dev Patel who plays Jamal, definitely did justice to the role. However one big misfit was his British accent. A slum dweller speaking in impeccable English itself sounds weird. A foreign accent sounds weirder. Slumdog, being a British film, the language is understandable. However Danny Boyle could have selected an Indian artist for this role. After all Indians have worked in hollywood films and their accent is comprehensible.

On the other hand the heroin, played by Frieda Pinto, did have a more acceptable accent. But her depiction of Latika's character was certainly not impressive. Latika is a poor girl who has spent her childhood in a brothel and her adolescence with a gangster. The character's cruel past completely eludes Freida's expressions. In fact if one watched the movie halfway onwards, you would mistake her to be a middle class college student. In fact when she escapes her captor to meet Jamal at VT station, one would expect her to be scared. As opposed to this she is as relaxed as a teenager would be after bunking a class.

I admit that Danny Boyle has done a remarkable job of presenting the grim realities of Mumbai's slums. Kudos to him for not overstretching some of the ghastly incidences nor making them melodramatic. Apart from the lapses that struck me, Slumdog is certainly a well-made film. But I can't get myself to appreciate it as one in a million.

Jai Ho to India's Rich Film Music Culture

2009-02-25T19:54:00.000-08:00

The Hindi film industry has for long been satirically described as "dancing around trees". Indian cinema is probably the only one in the world where musical numbers sometimes play a more significant role than the story of the film for determining its box office success. In spite of all the criticism for unnecessary songs, no production house has had the courage of making a big budget movie without music. We have seen quite a few Hindi remakes of hollywood films. But even the good ones were not released without being spiced up with songs. Music does form an integral part of Indian cinema. In fact amidst the winds of Americanisation in entertainment, this is the only area where we have refused to change. This is the only area where we are confident that sooner or later the world will come around to appreciate cinema - the Indian Style.

Indian film industry is a kaleidoscope of diverse cultures of the country. For years together our movies have acquainted us with the uniqueness of various regional forms of art. From the famous Punjabi bhangra or Marathi tamasha to the lesser known tribal modes, Hindi cinema has experimented with all. In a very subtle manner it has acted as a medium for mixing various cultural shades of India. The obvious reflection of this is in the adoption of heterogeneous customs in marriage ceremonies.

Composing music or providing playback for Hindi films is the highest goal for any aspiring soft music singer or composer. The same holds true for lyricist, choreographers and technicians. The rich melodies of the black and white era have set such high standards that it is a challenge to match them today. If we started making movies devoid of music, this biggest challenge would be lost. The country may lose out on some shining talent, while enthusiasm will be mellowed due to lack of opportunity.

No doubt there are those bizarre dream sequences, which transform poor rural chhora-chhoris into fashionably clad couples in Switzerland. But mature film makers do carry a sense of location and time. Besides, songs have at times so successfully carried emotions, which words failed to express. The title song of Sarfarosh (zindagi maut na ban jaye) did wonders for the action packed film based on arms smuggling. Bhagat Singh's cry of "rang de basanti zhola" as he proceeds to the gallows may appear melodramatic, but not untill you listen to the lyrics. No dialogue could have better expressed a mother-child relation as conveyed by the song "maa" in Taare Zamin Pe. There are innumerable examples like these. Probably this was also the reason behind Aamir Khan's insistence of retaining all Lagaan songs in its run for the Oscars.

After a long wait, the world is finally taking notice. British director Danny Boyle's English language film, based in the heart of Mumbai and rocking with Hindi tunes, is America's hot favourite today. The global triumph of Slumdog Millionaire and A.R.Rehman's compositions shows that song and dance sequences in movies are finally getting their due. An Indian dance on the stage of the world's most prestigious Awards ceremony holds testimony to this fact. This is the biggest break for Indian film music to go all out and conquer.

................Jai Ho to the melodious tradition of Indian films !!!

Republic Day - A Moment to Retrospect

2009-02-01T18:05:00.000-08:00

January 26th is a much awaited day for all Indians. For the old, it is a pleasant reminder of establishment of the Indian Constitution. For the children it means singing patriotic songs and wearing regional costumes in schools. For news media it is a time to debate over the country's achievements and failures. For other entertainment channels it is the day to brush off dust from the freedom fight based movies. For the ignorant it just means a holiday. But for most citizens, like me, it is the day you get to see a majestic parade on Rajpath.

As a child, while attending flag hoisting at school, I remember keeping an eye on the watch. I rushed home not wanting to miss a single moment of the spectacle in the national capital. I always held a secret dream of being part of the parade myself. The dream was never fulfilled, but Republic Day still fills me with the same sense of admiration. I still sit glued to the television till the last balloon is in the air. The event is impeccable in every aspect - be it the smart soldiers marching like bound blocks, the beauty of the neatly crafted tableaus, colourful dance displays by school children or the breathtaking air show. At the same time it leaves you deeply humbled as gallantry medals are awarded.

I often wondered how the event, in spite of its monotonous format, still seems so attractive every year. Now I realise that it is not the beauty of the parade that attracts you. What holds you is a feeling of pride and comfort. Pride to be part of a nation, which in spite of its military might, respects the independence of other countries. Comfort that our country is capable of defending its own independence if forced to do so.

Now as the country stands on a verge of taking tough decisions to fight terrorism, Republic Day carried with it a whole new meaning. It was a demonstration to the whole world that India's insistence on a peace process is not its weakness, but its strength and that talks are indeed the hard option. As I watched the parade again last week, with the same enthusiasm, I realised, that despite all the ills that surround us, the foundation of this great nation still stands strong. And if we citizens look up to the Constitution with the same respect as a Bhagwatgita or a Bible, this foundation will only get stronger.

Inauguration Day - An Eye Opener

2009-01-30T20:03:00.000-08:00

January 20, 2009, an historic day, when the first African-American President of United States of America was sworn in. I was one among millions of spectators who was glued to the television throughout the day watching the event unfold. Well, I dont intend to write about the new President Barak Obama. Too much has been written and discussed about him already and I am not going to add to the overdose. What I want to share, however, are my feelings as I saw the Inauguration Day proceedings.

The more I watched the more sorry i felt about the dismal state of politics in our country. I saw such a world of difference in the conduct of politicians in US and in India. The new President began his address by thanking his predecessor Bush for his service and cooperation. His criticism about Bush's regime was limited to his policies and did not target him as a person. On the other hand, Mr. Bush was seen describing Obama as a "Good Man". What a sharp contrast this was compared to the mud-slugging that we witness in India.

Obama's speech was short and touched only essentials. He did not make any reference to the issues of African-American population. Instead focused on immediate concerns of the country as a whole. Again so very different from the caste issues which always hover over Indian politics.
Look at the journey Obama has made to earn the kind of love and respect he is getting from his fellow citizens. Compare this with India. The country's ruling party is proposing the name of Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister. His qualification? - he happens to be born in a family that has given India three Prime Ministers in the past. Yes, we are talking about the largest democracy in the world. A bigger joke is the reason behind his selection. Media reports say that the Congress President (whether she deserves that post is in itself questionable) does not trust anybody else in her own party. This is the same party that has produced the most eminent leaders in India. Compare this with Obama, who has not hesitated to include republicans in his trusted team.

Well..there is no dirth of shameful facts about Indian politics today. The country's second largest party to have even considered the name of Narendra Modi as the Prime Ministerial cadidate is shocking. A person who failed (if not encouraged) to stop one of the worst carnage the country has seen in recent times. Worse still, he is not even apologetic for what happened. To top it all we see the country's top industrialists supporting him for obvious reasons.
And ofcourse..how can I miss Munna Bhai. Sanjay Dutt will contest elections because he reminded people of Gandhi....can you beat this :-O.. Guilty for carrying a mass destruction weapon !!!...so much for peace and non-violence.

I am not saying that US politics is clear of dirty tactics....but atleast it is not so outright as in India. Atleast there is some hope for improvement, which is not apparent in the near future in India. Inauguration Day certainly left a feeling of sorrow in me. It was for the first time that I realised why some Indians choose to settle in the US. I don't intend doing so but the thought did cross my mind....and this is disturbing enough. But I also know I can't point fingers at anybody. I am equally to blame as so many other educated people in our country who do not voice their opinions, who are reluctant to unite and hold the political thugs to account.

Presiding Over Hearts

2007-08-10T07:05:00.000-07:00

The highest constitutional honour has finally been bestowed on a woman! I should have been overjoyed. But how come I am not celebrating or rather why no women around me seem to be doing so? No slogans from women lib groups, no news channels going berserk over the new President’s life, no Sunday Times reminiscing over past Rashtrapti Bhavan occupants…

Could the alleged scams surrounding Ms Pratibha Patil be the reason? But no, it’s not that… the silence, in my opinion, is the result of overwhelming sadness in the wake of the exit of Dr Abdul Kalam – the brilliant man who touched the hearts of every Indian, the scholar who linked himself with the wider populace of the country, the simple man who gave Indian Presidency a timely new definition.

India has a long tradition of legendary Presidents. However the last five years was probably the first time Indians felt directly connected to the First Citizen of their country. For me, our Ex-President represents a long list of values that I would like to cultivate. My first introduction to Dr. Kalam was through his -“Wings of Fire”. What impressed me the most was that the book read, not as an autobiography, but as a narration of the development of Indian aeronautic and space technology, with due respect and credit given to all of his senior as well as fellow scientists. And all this without undermining any other field of knowledge! His brilliant career, his massive contribution to the Indian space program and above all, his humility has made him a father figure and guru to the youth and a great visionary for the old.

Dr Kalam personified the term “secularism”, which has only been the blunt-edged by-word of Indian polity for over 50 years. His autobiography makes subtle but significant references to his secular background and his views without sounding like a preacher. His charisma, coupled with his genuinely good manners, made him the most loved “First Citizen” of this country.

Not all of us can aspire to become Presidents or even scientists. But we can strive to be simple, sincere, secular and …scientific. This is the only way to invite Dr Kalam to preside over our hearts forever.