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When the House was Kalam-struck

FOCUSSING ON KERALA: President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam during his powerpoint presentation at the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

It was a historic occasion for the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday morning. For the first time, a President was formally addressing the House. The former incumbent K.R. Narayanan's address in the old Assembly hall on September 18, 1997, had been delivered in reply to a reception accorded to him by the House.

Unprecedented security measures were in place and everyone was thoroughly frisked at the entry to the complex. Even mobile phones were not permitted inside. Several senior leaders were in the hall by 8.30 a.m.

The Speaker's dais was adorned with a tri-colour flower arrangement. Two smaller chairs were placed on either side of the ornate green chair of the Speaker, which was to seat the President. Four white screens with audio-systems were placed all around the hall for the President's powerpoint presentation.

Speaker Therambil Ramakrishnan was seen supervising the last-minute arrangements and stopping to speak with members as they stood about. There was an air of subdued expectation, resembling that in a house where a very important guest was about to arrive at any moment. At 9.20 a.m., Legislature Secretary M.D. Valson announced that the President had arrived.

All stood up as President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, wearing a grey suit, walked in, accompanied by Governor R.L. Bhatia, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker Sundaran Nadar, and deputy leader of the Opposition Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, among others.

The VVIP was ushered on to the dais and after the national anthem, the Speaker took the mike to welcome, on behalf of the members, the honoured guest who "cherished big dreams." "Your message that `vision ignites the mind' is an inspiration to all of us," Mr. Ramakrishnan said.

Mr. Balakrishnan, who was officiating for Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan, who is away in Delhi, spoke next. He recalled that the first State Mr. Kalam visited after taking over as President was riot-torn Gujarat. Mr. Kalam had always taken a firm stand against communalism.

"Your thrust on finding ways to use science for the welfare of the common man is praiseworthy," Mr. Balakrishnan said, adding that it was hoped that he would help steer the nation clear of the neo-colonialist camp represented by the United States.

Mr. Chandy said the President was among the few people who spoke what they thought and did what they spoke. Kerala hoped to achieve all that Mr. Kalam envisioned in his Vision 2020 programme even before that year. The Governor said that Kerala had always been a model of good governance.

"We are seen and watched more now than at any time in the electronic age," he said.

The President, who got up to speak at 9.45 a.m., made his introductory remarks in Tamil-accented Malayalam before switching over to English.

As the audience listened in rapt attention, he outlined a series of practical steps that the State needed to take to achieve its destiny.

"I have developed a law of development, though I am not a lawyer," he quipped.

Phrases and words such as "core competency," "challenges," and "targets" kept recurring in the 45-minute-long speech. For a time, Mr. Kalam, the President, seemed to make way for Mr. Kalam, the teacher.

It was much like a scientist excitedly explaining to his colleagues the solution to a difficult problem he had discovered after much mulling over the previous night.

The President had to do some quick manoeuvring when he came to the politically sensitive matter of creating what he called a "beautiful industrial environment" in the State.

This was a big challenge faced by the State and the Assembly should take a pro-active role to facilitate uninterrupted work. There was a thumping of desks from the Treasury benches. Quickly, Mr. Kalam remarked, "I mean, both sides!" to the amusement of his audience.

Mr. Kalam said that only when one had a mission to accomplish, problems arose.

"But problems should not become our masters. Defeat them and succeed," he exhorted. While he concluded the address, the scientist surfaced again.

"I can answer a few questions; otherwise, post them on my Web site presidentofindia.nic.in," he said, with a wave of his hand.

M. Harish Govind

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