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Former president Kalam calls on Dalai Lama

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

The Dalai Lama receives former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam at Gaggal Airport near Dharamshala, India, on 2 January 2009. The two leaders spoke for about half an hour at the Dalai Lama’s residence in Mcleod Ganj.Tibet Sun/Prem Sood/India

Former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam called on the Dalai Lama today. The Dalai Lama received Kalam at Gaggal Airport near Dharamshala, and brought Kalam to his residence in Mcleod Ganj. The two leaders spoke for about half an hour and exchanged books at the Dalai Lama’s residence in Mcleod Ganj.

Kalam was in Himachal Pradesh to attend a convocation at the National Institute of Technology at Hamirpur on Saturday. He will also interact with school children.

The prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche, who also accompanied the two leaders, said that Abdul Kalam has close relations with the Dalai Lama.

“We welcome his visit and meeting with the Dalai Lama,” Rinpoche said.

Abdul Kalam was the eleventh President of India, serving the country from 2002 to 2007.

He has played a major role in developing many missiles of India, including Agni and Prithvi. India’s Pokhran-II nuclear tests were conducted under his leadership, when he was the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Secretary of Department of Defense Research & Development of India from 1992 to 1999.

He is a favourite with children all over the country and has encouraged them with his inspirational speeches.

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