Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke eloquently at a function commemorating the 84th birth anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. In his rich tribute to the former president, Modi spoke highly of the many qualities of Dr. Kalam. He spoke of how Dr. Kalam, did not look for opportunities but challenges. Truly in recent times, no other president has endeared themselves to the citizens as Dr Kalam did. No wonder he was fondly called the ‘people’s president.’
While reading on Kalam, an interesting aspect that I came across was, how India’s missile man used to read the Gita. If Prime Minister Modi is truly inspired by Dr Abdul Kalam, the best way he can pay tribute to him, rather than changing the names of roads, would be to study the Mahabharta, of which the ‘Song of the Lord’ or Bhagwad Gita is also a part. In the great epic the Mahabharta, he who we consider the villain, Duryodhana, never broke a single law. Just like in the 2002 riots and in Dadri recently and other acts of intolerance and violence, Duryodhana, like Prime Minister Modi seeks refuge in legality.
