NEW DELHI, 25 July 2007 — President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam steps out of Rashtrapati Bhavan today, soon after his successor Pratibha Patil, the first woman president of the country, takes oath. With Kalam having emerged as a people’s favorite during his five-year term, he is certainly not stepping into oblivion. Kalam’s mission remains to make India a developed nation before 2020, where governance is responsive, transparent and corruption-free.

In his farewell address to the nation yesterday evening, Kalam said: “I will always be with you, dear citizens, in the great mission of making India a developed nation before 2020.”

Kalam’s mission in life is to bring connectivity between billions of hearts and minds of people in the multicultural society. Signaling that this task is not impossible, all it needs is embodying self-confidence, Kalam emphasized: “We can do it.”

Reflecting on the “five beautiful and eventful years” in Rashtrapati Bhavan, he said that he “enjoyed every minute” of his tenure with his “wonderful association” with people from different walks of life including politicians as well as those associated with business, judiciary, academics, youth and special children. “Today, it is indeed a thanks giving occasion,” he said.

Kalam’s vision of a developed India is a country where the divide between the urban and rural populations is reduced to a thin line.

“A nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption-free, a nation that is one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership,” Kalam said while outlining a 10-point vision for turning India into a developed nation.

Kalam looks forward to a nation where:- “education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination;” “which is best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists, and investors;” where “best of health care is available to all;” and “poverty has been totally eradicated, illiteracy removed and crimes against women and children are absent and none in the society feels alienated.” His vision is of “a nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path.” What stands out in the vision spelt out by Kalam and in importance given by him in reaching out to common people, is his people-oriented strategy. Not surprisingly, while in office, he made himself accessible to at least one million Indians from ordinary walks of life, including farmers, postmen, teachers and children.

In Kalam’s opinion, development is the best defense against terrorism. During an interview taken some time by this correspondent for Arab News, Kalam said: “Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and discrimination are some factors that lead to the frustration which contributes to terrorism.” Expressing that nations have been destroyed by war, he raised the question: “Has the world eliminated terrorism? No. Not at all.” He emphasized that the need is to address root causes of terrorism causing “frustration, anger and violence,” that is development.

As Kalam moves on from today, on his mission, the government has a new responsibility to handle. It is for the first time that the outgoing President has a heavy schedule of engagements. Keeping his popularity, stature and schedule in mind, the authorities have decided not to taken any chances with his security. The top-class security would be available for him, sources said.

Kalam’s new official address would be 10, Rajaji Marg- an eight-bedroom bungalow. But with it still being renovated, Kalam’s makeshift accommodation is a single-room guesthouse in Delhi Cantonment, a contrast to 340-room Rashtrapati Bhawan. Keeping Kalam’s security parameters in mind, the location has been deliberately chosen. But with Kalam all set to head for South India on his academic engagements, he is not expected to spend much time here. He has teaching assignments lined up at Anna University in Chennai, University of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh and other universities. On his return, he is expected to move into his new residence.