The Hindu : New Delhi News : Two Presidents have a cosy chat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Two Presidents have a cosy chat

Special Correspondent

The best of Indian hospitality

NEW DELHI: For the Pakistan President, General Musharraf, it was a computer presentation by the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on a large plasma screen at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the pet subject of Mr. Kalam — the Provision of Urban facilities in Rural Areas (PURA).

This was the focus of the nearly 50-minute informal and candid interaction between the two leaders here on Sunday.

Gen. Musharraf pointed out that a similar project was being run successfully in Pakistan where local self-governments were ``very effective'' but he agreed with Mr. Kalam that such structures needed to be further strengthened.

Gen. Musharraf's wife, Begum Saheba, wanted to know who had influenced Mr. Kalam. Mr. Kalam replied it was a 16th century Persian poet, Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, and even quoted a couplet by Rumi.

Mr. Kalam presented books written by him to Gen. Musharraf and his wife — ``India 2020,'' collection of his poems ``Luminous Spark,'' Urdu translation of his autobiography ``Parvaz'' and a pictorial volume on the Rashtrapati Bhavan ``Dome Over India.''

Mr. Kalam also told Gen. Musharraf that it was essential for India and Pakistan to place all their eggs in an incubator or a basket of goodwill and see to it that no one kicked the basket over.

He said that both the countries should nurture these eggs so that no third party could damage them, evoking appreciation of ``Wah, sahib wah'' from Gen. Musharraf.

Gen. Musharraf and his delegation were treated to the best of Indian hospitality and exotic cuisine at the lunch hosted by Mr. Kalam.

Rendering of music of Hindi movie Veer Zara and old Hindi filmi melodies blended well with the food.

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