The Hindu : Front Page : Honour for Abdul Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007
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Honour for Abdul Kalam

Hasan Suroor

He is awarded King Charles II medal by British Royal Society

RECOGNITION: Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam receiving King Charles II Medal from Lord Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society, in London on Monday. — PTI

LONDON: The former President, Dr. Abdul Kalam, became only the second world leader to receive the British Royal Society’s prestigious King Charles II medal on Monday for his contribution to the practice and promotion of science.

Emperor Akihito of Japan was the first. He received it in 1998, a year after the award was instituted by Britain’s premier science academy to recognise excellence in science.

The award, comprising a medal and a scroll, was presented to Dr. Kalam by Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society, at a ceremony attended, among others, by industrialist Swraj Paul, economist Meghnad Desai and India’s Acting High Commissioner in London Asoke Mukerjee.

Lord Rees hailed Dr. Kalam as an “ideal recipient,” saying that he had been “tireless” in promoting science and technology in India.

Dr. Kalam said he deemed it an honour to receive the award from the world’s “pioneering scientific academy studded with eminent scientists of the world since its inception in 1660.”

In an address titled “Missions for societal transformation,” Dr. Kalam, who has resumed scientific work after laying down office earlier this year, disclosed that he was working on two areas that had a ``mission potential to have a positive effect on societal development.”

These were “energy independence” and “world knowledge platform.”

Dr. Kalam also received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Applied Sciences in recognition of his achievements.

Lord Paul, Chancellor of the University, said: “Dr Kalam’s accomplishments are an inspiration to all and we are very pleased that he has chosen to accept an honorary award from the University.”

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline Gipps, said: “Dr Kalam has achieved eminence in his own academic studies and he has also educated and inspired others.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Dr. Kalam to the University and to have this opportunity to honour his significant contribution to science and education.”

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