TO MAKE A POINT: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam arrives to inaugurate the Governors' conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh looks on. — PHOTO: PTI

NEW DELHI: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Tuesday urged Governors not to "remain caged in the confines of [your] political or any other ancestry" and told them that their "dharma" was to "distil the best of aspirations of the people from the vicissitudes of politics."

Inaugurating the biennial conference of Governors at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, he reminded them that theirs was a "mission of righteousness" and wondered whether they could collectively say that "today such a well intended position is upheld by each one of us?"

Without mentioning the recent controversies over gubernatorial decisions in Jharkhand, Goa and Bihar, Mr. Kalam noted that "the Constitution has provided for a special role for the Governor. It is a position with sanctity. ``The Governor's office is a beacon of light in the affairs of the State. While there are many checks and balances provided by the Constitution, the office of the Governor has been bestowed with the independence to rise above the day-to-day politics and override compulsions either emanating from the Central system or the State system."

Exhorting the Governors to rise above the partisan politics of their parent bodies, he warned, "if you continue to nurture certain affiliations, many will hesitate in approaching you with suggestions and problems. You will be isolated from a large number of people. That is not the purpose of the Raj Bhavan."

Besides the Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of all States and Union Territories, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Ministers are taking part. Dr. Singh and Mr. Shekhawat are scheduled to address the meet on Wednesday. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil gave a presentation on internal security.

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