Salutes to Hon’ble Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam Sir!!!

This is an autographed message our beloved late, former President of India, Hon’ble Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam shared with us when he delivered a talk at the IIM, Bangalore campus as part of the Alumni Leadership Talk series, way back in June, 2008. I was fortunate to be part of the organising committee of this memorable event and also propose a vote of thanks to this cheerful, energetic, inquisitive and lovable first citizen of our country. As always he had a Q&A session for the audience after which he was mobbed by all the children of alumni and faculty of IIMB. I could see that the person who occupied the highest position of our country had no airs about himself. He felt most at home amongst the children and had time to answer their queries, put counter questions and listen to their poems too.

I recall that the interactive session ended with the following oath that he made all of us take :-
Oath for professional leaders

1 As a leader in public life, business, education and culture, I commit personal and
public integrity, honesty and transparency.
2 I will “work with integrity and succeed with integrity” in all my tasks.
3 Always, I will ask myself in all circumstances “what can I give”.
4 I will become an employment generator rather than employment seeker.
5 I will have three friends in my life – innovation, devotion and love for my work.
6 My National Flag flies in my heart always. I will work for realizing freedom from
poverty and freedom from illiteracy and freedom from injustice.

Happy sharing this with you and wishing all of us can live up to his expectations !