Kalam shares the nostalgia

He is leaving Raisina Hill as the people's President and says he has had no regrets. In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai – his last as president – A P J Abdul Kalam speaks of his five years as the first citizen.

Rajdeep Sardesai: President Kalam, I want to start with the herbal garden because, in a sense, it typifies how you have changed the Rashtrapati Bhavan. You got musical fountains, herbal gardens and biodiversity parks – what was the purpose?

A P J Abdul Kalam: It’s people’s Bhavan, they must be proud of this place.

Rajdeep Sardesai: But people have no access to Rashtrapati Bhavan…

A P J Abdul Kalam: No, a million people visit Rashtrapati Bhavan every year.

Rajdeep Sardesai: You don’t think Rashtrapati Bhavan has become somewhat colonial? Most people think, ‘How do I reach the President of India? He is far away, a distant person.’

A P J Abdul Kalam: They e-mail, they reach here, or they write a letter and get here.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Do you think modern India needs institutions like a President or the Presidency?

A P J Abdul Kalam: In 1950, our Constitution was written and approved. Okay? It has withstood so far. So, how can I say if it (Presidency) is needed or not?

Rajdeep Sardesai: What I found interesting is that you seem to have changed Presidency rather than Presidency changing you. You don’t seem to be interested in protocol too much. You did what you thought was best for the country. Would that be fair?

A P J Abdul Kalam: See, Presidency required me to do certain tasks. Also, I have seen that as a President, it’s easy to do any innovation one wants in Rashtrapati Bhavan or even in nation. Nobody will stop you.

Rajdeep Sardesai: As you demit office, do you have regrets or a sense of fulfillment?

A P J Abdul Kalam: I found President is a way of thinking. If he thinks big, he can definitely make the nation. For example, take the India 2020 vision.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Let me ask you, do you see yourself as retiring now or are you going back to your first love which is teaching?

A P J Abdul Kalam: I think retirement is a continuous process.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Sir, we are in the 60th year of Indian independence. What is your message to Indians?

A P J Abdul Kalam: One great message is that India and its people should be self-confident and say, ‘We can do it.’