Ousted Sri Lankan Leader Angles for a Comeback

Ex-President Rajapaksa leads ethnically charged campaign, vows closer ties to China

Former Sri Lankan president and parliamentary candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa greeted supporters during the launch of his party election manifesto in Colombo on Tuesday. PHOTO: LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES

By GORDON FAIRCLOUGH-July 28, 2015

NAULA, Sri Lanka—Flanked by saffron-robed Buddhist monks, former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa exhorted a crowd of more than a thousand supporters at a weekend election rally, saying: “We saved this country. Don’t let it be divided again.”

The 69-year-old politician, ousted by voters earlier this year, is seeking a return to office—this time as prime minister—in an ethnically charged campaign mixing economic promises with warnings of resurgent terror by minority Tamils, defeated six years ago after a long civil war.

Ousted Sri Lankan Leader Angles for a Comeback by Thavam Ratna

Why Rajapaksa as Sri Lankan PM is bad for India

Will the former president's return mean having Chinese naval presence within hair's breadth?

SEEMA GUHA

 @seemaguha1-28-07-2015

There is unprecedented political flux in Sri Lanka with just about three weeks to go for parliamentary elections. By throwing his hat in the ring, former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa has contributed hugely to the churning.

Nobody is quite sure what the August 17 play of dice throws up. Moreover, the timing of the elections is significant as the UN report on human rights abuse by the Sinhala army in the last phase of the military campaign against the LTTE will be tabled at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva by September-end, when the new Parliament will meet and a new prime minister take charge. He may just be Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Just over six months since he lost to the little known Maithripala Sirisena, Rajapaksa is back in the reckoning, though the president has had second thoughts after clearing his nomination. The fact that Sirisena allowed Rajapaksa to contest elections in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ticket is a clear indication of the clout the former president still wields in the party. Sirisena was forced to give nomination to Rajapaksa also for fear that a divided SLFP will give the United People’s Party (for good governance) the advantage.

Despite the President’s vow to keep Rajapaksa out of the prime ministerial race, it may not be easy to keep him down, considering the support he enjoys among the Sinhala Buddhist majority. In his first election rally in Anuradhapura, Rajapaksa was able to gather a mammoth crowd. His message was simple. The current government had destroyed in six months what he has assiduously built during his presidency. It is ironic that the minority government headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe has spent 20 years in Opposition and just six months in government and yet has to carry the weight of anti-incumbency.

The hardliners are eternally grateful to Rajapaksa for wiping out the LTTE and still regard him as a Sinhala hero. Yet despite eliminating Prabhakaran and the Tigers, Rajapaksa’s tendency to grab all power within his family circle, combined with allegations of large scale corruption and attacks on civil liberties of those opposed to him, resulted in a shocking defeat for the war time President. Though he lost to his own minisiter, who smelt the swing in public mood and became the joint opposition candidate, he was able to garner not more than 51.28 percent votes. The minority Tamils and Muslims voted for Sirisena. But Rajapaksa was still able to secure 47.58 percent of the voteshare. So the former president still enjoys a solid votebank.

If a large number of his loyalists win the elections, it will be difficult for President Sirisena to go against the majority of his partymen in the SLFP. Though Sirisena has vowed to use constitutional means to stop the possibility, it may not be easy for a mild mannered president who won elections not because of his personal appeal, but because of the negative vote for an all-powerful president bent on promoting his family.

In January, when Rajapaksa was defeated, most democratic countries welcomed the verdict. India and the US were delighted and gave all out support to the new Sirisena government. The US helped the new government to get the UN report on atrocities to be delayed. It was to be released in March. Washington helped to push it back as Sirisena wanted more time.

The new man reassured New Delhi by choosing India over China for his first foreign visit. India hoped now to smoothen ties with Colombo which was strained since the 2009 defeat of the LTTE. China was a big factor in the deteriorating ties between India and Sri Lanka. The fact that Rajapaksa allowed Chinese naval submarine to dock, not once but twice in Colombo, rattled New Delhi. This was playing with India’s security and strategic interests in what New Delhi regards as its backyard. China’s foray into the Indian Ocean is a major challenge to India. Will Rajapaksa’s return mean having Chinese naval presence within hair's breadth? The former president had encouraged China knowing full well India’s apprehensions. The 1987 India-Lanka accord binds both India and Sri Lanka not to allow forces inimical to each other to use the other nation’s ports. The new government, aware of India’s concerns had made it plain that no Chinese submarine or warship would be allowed to dock in its ports.

The 1.5 billion dollar Colombo Port City, which the Chinese were building from reclaimed land had led to howl of protest from concerned citizens, but the Rajapaksa did not budge. It was only after Sirsena took over that many Chinese projects were kept on hold for review for flouting environmental and building laws. Also, besides promising "13 Amendment +" for the Tamils, Rajapaksa refused to concede even an inch to the minorities. Instead, the Sri Lankan army controlled large swathes of land in the Tamil dominated Northern Province and an ex-general was appointed the governor.

All these issues could come up once again if Rajapaksa were to become prime minister, but with Sirisena still the president, it would not be easy for Rajapaksa to tilt so heavily towards China. Once the UN report comes up, he will be much more circumspect, knowing full well that in Western capitals, Sirisena’s words count more than his. The human rights issue will continue to haunt Rajapaksa and perhaps constrain his actions. In short, prime minister Rajapaksa cannot be the strongman he was as president. Perhaps, that will be the saving grace of a Rajapaksa victory.

Can Mahinda Rajapaksa Become The Prime Minister?

By Lal Wijenayake –July 30, 2015

Lal Wijenayake

Though the possibility of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) wining a majority of seats at the forthcoming Parliamentary election is remote, the question as to whether Mahinda Rajapaksa can become the PM in such a situation is being debated.

Article 42(4) of the constitution as amended by the 19th amendment clearly sets out that the President shall appoint as Prime Minister the Member of Parliament, who in the President’s opinion is most likely to command the confidence of Parliament.

Therefore it is clear that the power of appointing the Prime Minister is a discretionary power vested in the President. It depends on the opinion of the President.

Under Public Law a public authority is vested with discretionary power with the trust that the power so vested will only be used for the purpose for which the discretionary power is vested in the public authority and that the power will not be used for any collateral purpose.

But it is argued that the President is bound by the British Parliamentary conventions in the appointment of a Prime Minister as it was from 1947 to 1977, till the Presidential system was introduced. British Parliamentary convention will not apply, as the system of government we had before 1977 was a Parliamentary system of government based on the British model. Hence, our Governor Generals Lord Soulbury, Sir Oliver Goonetillekeand William Gopallawa were bound to follow British convention in appointing a Prime Minister.

Read More

MR Likely to Be Questioned Over RADA Allegations!

“Former President will be questioned after election”; RADA has spent Rs. 2,431 m when it was operational.

30/07/2015 

Former President and UPFA Kurunegala District candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa is likely to be questioned in connection with alleged financial misappropriations involving Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA), highly placed police sources told the Daily News yesterday.

The agency, headed by former Parliamentarian Tiran Alles, came under the purview of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It was mainly set up to grant relief to Tsunami victims who lost houses and properties due to the natural disaster on December 26, 2004. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of Police arrested former Chief Operating Officer of RADA, Dr. Saliya Wickramasuriya over alleged fraud in use of tsunami rebuilding funds. Wickramasuriya was charged with defrauding Rs 169 million from funds through the RADA when Tiran Alles was its chairman.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court later released the former RADA official on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 with two sureties of Rs. 1 million.

In addition to the former Chief Operating Officer, the SIU also arrested the former Finance and Administration Director of RADA in connection with the probe over allegations against RADA. While the investigations were underway, ex-Parliamentarian Tiran Alles filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court seeking to prevent his arrest.

Initial investigations revealed that the Agency received a staggering Rs.1,959 million from the Treasury under directives of the former President. The Agency, Police sources said, had spent Rs.2,431 million during the time it was operational.

“Construction projects had been handed over to companies, namely, GS Builders, B &K Holdings Private Limited and Everest Civil Engineering Services. There is a serious doubt over the ‘existence’ of these companies.

For instance, B & K Holdings and Everest Civil Engineering Pribate Limited had obtained Rs. 169 million to construct houses in the Trincomalee and Batticaloa district. But, none of the houses has been built in the two districts,” a Senior Officer who is involved in the investigations said.

“The former President,” he said, “will be questioned after the Parliamentary election. The investigation cannot proceed without questioning him.”
CDN

Ingraining Military Into Every Aspect Of Sri Lankan Life Still Continues

July 30, 2015

Contrary to President Maithripala Sirisena’s promises of demilitarisation, the Rajapaksa regime’s attempt to ingrain the military into every aspect of Sri Lankan life still continues.

According to the Sri Lankan Army, the Army managed ‘Laya Leisure Resort‘ in Kukuleganga commenced a refurbishment and renovation project in order to be compatible with competitive standards available elsewhere for local and foreign tourists on July 17th.

Adjutant General, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Chief Executive Officer, Board of Management graced the occasion as the Chief Guest for launch of the renovation project.

At the auspicious minute at 8.43 a.m., Major General Hathurusinghe who is also the Adjutant General of the Army laid the foundation stone symbolizing the commencement of the project.

During the event, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe also launched the new automated system at Laya Leisure in which all the functions within the resort complex are fully computerized at the invitation of Colonel W.M.G.C.S.B. Wijayasundara, Chief Executive Officer.                           Read More

Drug trade flourished under Rajapaksa regime - Karu

July 30, 2015

Minister Karu Jayasuriya today charged that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his “set of thieves” would resort to any corrupt an unholy action, crushing all accepted moral values and human relations for the sake of power.

“It is an undisputed fact that under the administration of Kurunegala district UPFA candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa the drug business flourished freely with no restrictions whatsoever,” he said in a statement. 

The Minister of Public Administration, Local Government and Democratic Governance claimed that during this period drug dealers’ activities “expanded and reached the top most official domain.” 

“It was Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Secretary of Defence who was responsible for eliminating the drug business during the period of rule under Kurunegala district candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa.” 

“People are now aware how Gotabaya acted with regard to the drug business in the country,” Jayasuriya said.  

 “It is revealed that Mohamed Mubarak Mohamed Mujaid the Head of the international drug dealer network, who supplied heroin from Pakistan to a number of countries including Sri Lanka, is a close friend of the Defence Secretary,” he claimed, adding that photographs of them meeting were published in the media. 

“These very same Rajapaksas shouted from rooftops about patriotism but they are the people who grossly violated the pledge given to the country through the Mahinda Chinthanaya promising to wipe out child abuse, rape, underworld and organized crimes by strengthening the law,” he said.

The former UNP Parliamentarian stated that the United People’s Freedom Alliance is only a sheep in wolf’s clothing.  

Full Statement Issued By Minister Karu Jayasuriya:

“I will be dedicated to the task of totally eradicating the drug menace presently experienced in Sri Lanka.  I will do so within a period of three years through a coordinated effort covering the implementation of laws, the actions of police and other social institutions”. 

The above paragraph is quoted from the fancy document titled Mahinda Chinthana under the heading “An end to the drug menace”. Accordingly, the drug menace in Sri Lanka should have been totally eradicated by 2008. What really happened is just the opposite. 

The Ministers and parliamentarians connected to Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government even with the intervention of the Prime Minister, wholesale consignments and container loads of drugs were brought into Sri Lanka.  It is an undisputed fact that under the administration of Kurunegala district candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa the drug business flourished freely with no restrictions whatsoever. It was during his period that drug dealers’ activities expanded and reached the top most official domain. It was Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Secretary of Defence who was responsible for eliminating the drug business during the period of rule under Kurunegala district candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa. People are now aware how Gotabaya acted with regard to the drug business in the country.  

It is revealed that Mohamed Mubarak Mohamed the Head of the international drug dealer network, who supplied heroin from Pakistan to a number of countries including Sri Lanka, is a close friend of the Defence Secretary. The media had published photographs of Mohamed Mujaid meeting with Gotabaya Rajapaksa. These very same Rajapaksas shouted from rooftops about patriotism but they are the people who grossly violated the pledge given to the country through the Mahinda Chinthanaya promising to wipe out child abuse, rape, underworld and organized crimes by strengthening the law.

The information revealed through Mohamed Mubarak Mohamed Mujaid incident proves the shameful efforts made by Rajapaksas (who had agreements with Casino kings such as James Packer) to promote the casino culture in Sri Lanka to destroy the future generation.  There were reports about giving directives to permit the use of heroin and blue films in the North as a means of preventing youth moving towards militancy in the North. Thus it is obvious that Kurunegala district candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa and his set of thieves would resort to any corrupt an unholy action crushing all accepted moral values and human relations for the sake of power. This proves that the United Peoples Freedom Alliance is only a sheep in wolf’s clothing.  

The majority of this country on the 8th of January defeated this corrupt and disgraceful administration. Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thero, Ven Omalpe Sobhitha Thero, Ven. Athuraliya Rathana Thero along with a  large number of political parties, artistes, academics including university professors and  lecturers, with the  civil society organizations have rallied together to prevent the reappearance of men like Mohamed Mubarak Mohamed Mujaid through people like Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In order to completely wipe off this type of perilous businesses permanently from our soil and protect our future generation, the Kurunegala district candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa and the rogues around him, have to be defeated on the 17th of August. It is the responsibility of everybody who desires to live in a society where morality prevails.   

Businessman arrested for sexually exploiting girl

2015-07-30
The Managing Director of Greenlanka Shipping Ltd. Prashan Nanayakkara was yesterday arrested and produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate by the Police Special Investigative Unit (SIU) for allegedly sexually exploiting a 22-year-old girl.

He was ordered to be released on a one million rupees surety bail after being produced before the Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage.

According to the 'B' report filed in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court by the SIU, the girl (22) in a complaint to the police headquarters alleged that she had been continuously sexually exploited by the suspect since the age of 12.

However, the police had sought the Attorney General’s advice over the matter and police yesterday informed Court that the AG had given instructions them that a non-summary inquiry be held against the suspect before the Magistrate. Accordingly, the non-summary inquiry was fixed for September 16.

The complainant told the SIU at the Police Headquarters that she was brutally raped by the businessman at a housing complex in Colombo in 2013 and her complaint in this regard at the Bambalapitiya Police was futile since they refrained from conducting an investigation.

In her lengthy complaint to the Police Headquarters, the victim told that she accidentally met the businessman during a function held at a leading hotel when she was twelve years old. She said that she had appeared in programmes produced by a private television channel since a very young age. She said the businessman used to contact her over the phone and met her while she was attending tuition classes. She had said their relationship was intimate as he promised to marry her once she reached adulthood.

The victim further said that she was sexually exploited by the businessman in an unnatural manner and she had to undergo a surgery at a private hospital owing to an injury caused by the businessman.

The B report stated that the suspect is alleged to have committed punishable offences which come under section 360 (B) 1, 314 and 310 of the Penal Code. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda) - See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/81583/businessman-arrested-for-sexually-exploiting-girl#sthash.9LNQAX2Z.dpuf

China's Sri Lankan Port Ambitions Persist

Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port will continue to receive Chinese attention.

By Ankit Panda-July 27, 2015

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of the state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), has proposed the construction of new facilities at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port. According to an IHS Maritime 360 report, the CHEC proposal focuses on the construction of a new shipbuilding and repair dockyard. The proposal is part of the third phase of the construction of the Hambantota Port.

Incidentally, CHEC is at the center of a Sri Lankan government investigation into corrupt practices by the former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa, who unexpectedly lost a January early presidential election to Maithripala Sirisena, was widely perceived as friendly to Chinese investment in Sri Lanka. As the South China Morning Post detailed last week, CHEC is accused to having offered a bribe to facilitate Rajapaksa’s reelction bid. CHEC won a $1.4 billion contract during the Rajapaksa presidency to build the Colombo Port City, a project that was frozen after the Sirisena administration came to powerand began reviewing Chinese contracts that were awarded during the Rajapaksa era.

CHEC has denied all accusations of impropriety as “baseless and false” and rejects the idea that it bribed Rajapaksa. “CHEC calls on all the relevant Sri Lankan officials and parties not to misunderstand their responsible and cooperative partner, and not to send a wrong signal to the investors from China and all other countries,” it said in a statement.

According to reports last week, despite the investigation against CHEC, the company has received the Sri Lankan government’s approval to move ahead with a feasibility study for the proposed additions to Hambantota Port. According to the Sri Lankan Ports ministry, CHEC has also proposed that it would handle the management and operations of the dockyard.

Hambantota, situated on the southern coast of the island, is an important Sri Lankan port city. Historically, it was an important port for eastern Asian seafarers and traders heading to Africa or the Middle East. CHEC has long been involved in the construction of Hambantota port, which launched in January 2008. The port, formally named the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port after the former Sri Lankan president, is being constructed primarily by CHEC and  another Chinese state-owned firm, Sinohydro.

With the completion of all three construction phases, the port will be the largest in South Asia, encompassing over 4,000 acres and with the ability to simultaneously berth 33 vessels. The port facility at Hambantota is widely cited by Indian analysts concerned about China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean as a node in Beijing’s perceived “String of Pearls” strategy to encircle India with civilian port facilities. Last fall, a Chinese warship and submarine visited Sri Lanka’s Colombo port, raising concern in New Delhi that China-backed civilian facilities in Sri Lankan and elsewhere would become regularly used for the Chinese navy. The Sirisena government banned port visits by Chinese submarines earlier this year, in part to ease Indian concerns.

Bribery Commission chairman asks bribe to resign ! Cabinet decides to investigate Chairman and Director’s malpractices

(Lanka-e-News-29.July.2015, 11.30PM) The Cabinet has decided to investigate the complaints received against the chairman and Director of the anti corruption and bribery commission who are obstructing the affairs and investigations of the commission . 

The chairman of anti corruption and bribery commission , retired judge Jagath Balapatabendi  has still not tendered his resignation. It is reported he  is taking the files  meant for invertigation to his home and is not attending office . While wasting his time staying at home , he has not taken action to file legal action in the cases of corruption and bribery before him ,whose investigations have been concluded , thus  engaging in sabotage activities. One such case is that of ex minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena  alias ‘Raththaran’ against whom is a colossal Rs. 400 million corruption accusation . While action can be  filed in court as the investigations are concluded , this president of the anti corruption and bribery commission on the other hand has taken the file home , and is remaining dumbfounded, it has come to light. 

In the circumstances , the Directress general of the commission ,  Ms. Dilrukshi Dias  has decided that if Balapatabendi  does not attend to his official duties , he cannot be paid his salary.( It is to be noted that Balapatabendi is a sly  official who was collecting two salaries: one salary being his pension as a retired judge , and the other is ,  the salary and allowances from his appointment as the chairman  of the anti corruption and bribery commission ).

Following the suspension of his salary payment  , Balapatabendi had lodged a complaint with the  Human rights commission .

The Cabinet that met recently taking into consideration this neglect of duty by Balapatabendi while pocketing his salary staying at home ,  decided that action should be taken against this , for salaries ought to be paid out of public funds only to those government officials who are duly carrying out their duties. 

It is well to recall that this Balapatabendi  when he was a judge recieved a car as a gift from a company and gave  an unfair  judgment in favor of that  company .When a case was filed against him in the anti corruption and bribery commission in this connection , it was Balapatabendi who was its chairman  , and he himself  took the step to put  the case on hold without inquiring.

Similarly another complaint was made to the anti corruption and bribery commission against a Director of the  Commission ,  a former IGP Jayantha Wickremeratne.

During his period , the Commission has conducted an investigation and found him guilty ,based on that report , the recommendation was to file legal action against him , yet the last regime instead of duly following up  , appointed the suspect involved in corruption  as the Director .

After taking into consideration all the aforementioned facts , the Cabinet has decided to conduct an inquiry into the Directors of the anti corruption and bribery commission who are facing bribery and corruption charges.

Meanwhile, the chairman  of the anti corruption and bribery commission Balapatabendi had sent a message to the prime minister  that if he is to resign his post of president of the commission , he should be given a foreign envoy appointment ,that is , he had demanded a bribe to which message the prime minister had sent  the reply, “ I am not mad “

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by     (2015-07-29 22:48:43)

Woman’s body found in travelling bag: No breakthrough in probe 

By Madura Ranwala and Norman Palihawadana-July 30, 2015, 7:20 am

No breakthrough had been in their investigations as regards the body of a woman found at the Bastian Road bus station in Pettah yesterday morning, police said last night.

The victim believed to be about 30 years old was found inside a large travelling bag.

The Police Media Unit said that the woman had not been identified and requested the media to publish her picture.

The body was taken to the Colombo police mortuary last evening after the Magistrate visited the scene. The postmortem would be conducted on Thursday, the police said.

According to Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), blood had been found on the victim’s nostrils and the body had been folded and squeezed into the bag which also contained some clothes.

PS chairman arrested over ‘distorted’ flag at UPFA rally

July 30, 2015

The Chairman of the Yatunuwara Pradeshiya Sabha and UPFA Kandy District candidate, Thusitha Kumara Welagedara, has been arrested on charges of hoisting a distorted national flag at a recent election rally. 

It had been reported that such distorted flags were hoisted at the UPFA election rally, held in Kandy with the participation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on July 26. 

Kadugannawa Police launched an investigation into the incident and arrested the PS chairman on suspicion today. 

A good future for the national Rupavahini

Thursday, 30 July 2015

The workers of the National Rupavahini assert that their institution would have a better future from the 3rd of next month. The national Rupavahini became the

most corrupt institution during the former president’s era and until now there are no significant changes. There was news spread that the current chairman Somarathna Disanayake would resign from the 3rd of next month. Following the resignation of the present chairman there would be good future for our institution said the workers.

 

There was a news spread in the morning today 30th that Somarathna Dissanayake would resign from the chairman post. However many workers did not believe the news because nobody bothers much what he say.

 

Today the chairman convened a media briefing and officially announced his resignation on the 3rd. Therefore he is ready to resign from the chairman post from the 3rd of next month.

 

During the MaRa regime this Somarathna Disanayake openly stooped on behalf of the former president and earned many large benefits. Not only him his wife too promoted the MaRa regime and received many benefits by showing his films and children programs. He gave free publicity for his movies by the state media and broadcast many programs. Apart that there were special recommendations imposed through the education ministry to see his movies.

 

Somarathna Disanayake who openly stooped to the Mara during the latter stage of the presidential election sensing the defeat of MaRa announced his support for Maithripala Sirisena. Somarathna Disanayake who is a sly character was again appointed for the chairman post of the national Rupavahini.

Inspiration – thy name is Kalam

July 29, 2015

‘When our signature changes to autograph, this marks the success.’ This was one of the famous quotes of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam circulated on Whatsapp Tuesday morning. Motivating words indeed! Irrespective of whether one personally met him or not, most people got inspired by his way of life.Here are a few thoughts shared by people who experienced Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s wisdom and charm

INNOVATIVE GENIUS

Among the many conferences and seminars I attended, the one I attended four years ago at Bhubaneswar truly remains a memorable one, for here I met Dr. Abdul Kalam and spent an entire afternoon soon after having lunch together. That he preferred to just eat the south Indian sambar rice for lunch reflected his leaning towards simple things in life. But his dream for the country was a lofty one. “Can this advanced research be transferred into cheapened technology,” was his concerned query when we were updating him on our work. He showed tremendous interest when we mentioned about our project that we were developing to establish communication system with villages through internet. He requested us to update him on this subject. An innovative genius that he was he had predicted the falling of petrol prices four years ago. He wouldn’t relax during conversations, his mind would be constantly thinking and every sentence of his would carry a new idea.

A down-to-earth man, he spoke from his heart and treated, from a doorman to a dignitary, with same respect. A disciplined person, he seldom sought medical help. Yes, he ignited minds and hearts of the people of our country.

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy

Chairman and Chief

Asian Institute of Gastroenterology

HE CARED FOR ALL

It was my first ever experience of walking side by side with a President of India, back in 2006. The occasion was the inauguration of Emergency Management Research Institute. He gave me a pleasant surprise as the ever-smiling President who seemed so interested in knowing about my work, and if I was comfortable coming to Bheemavaram, from Hyderabad, all by myself. I came across many celebrities who I least cared about, but this man was different. His smile, cheerfulness and grounded nature made him the man one can look up to.

Mahua Chatterji

Communication consultant

PEOPLE’S MAN

It was an honour to meet the former president — APJ Abdul Kalam — at a one-to-one meeting. It was the most intellectually-stimulating 20 minutes of my life. He had an aura of graciousness, empathy, knowledge, inspiration and love that can attract anyone.  The 20 minutes of the conversation made me feel I have known him for long, and as the meeting progressed I even interrupted him on several occasions; which later made me think of the meeting as an almost casual chat between two friends. The discussion was on anti corruption; he called his team and made them the part of the discussion. I was amazed his pro-activeness. When I discussed about my Foundation, Vaada, and the work we were doing to set up footpaths, he showed deep concern about people who sleep on the footpath, referring to them as ‘night sleepers’. He asked if Vaada Foundation could do something to keep them safe at night. I was astounded that a person of his stature could even care for people who sleep on the pavements. 

Suresh Raju

Social worker

A HOMELY MAN

My first meeting with APJ Abdul Kalam was in 2004 when he had come to inaugurate the Madras Management Convention. It was a brief association amongst a lot of people. After I joined Emergency Management Research Institute (EMRI), I got a call from his office, the president was online and he said “I heard something good is happening in AP. Can you come and share, I want to know about it.” He had given me 20 minutes. In my mind I was ready with a snazzy corporate slide to be presented inside his huge room at Rashtrapati Nilayam. But he wanted me to come to the point, so instead of slide 1, I reached slide no. 17. And then slide 25 and so on. The 20 minute meeting went on to become 50 minutes. Later he told me that when he retires from his president’s post on July 24, 2007, he would want to join us and work for EMRI. Soon after his retirement he called me and then joined EMRI as chairman emeritus.

This association and bond became strong and he kept in touch. His speeches inspired me. He couldn’t attend my son’s wedding so, he came to my house on a personal visit and had a simple meal which had Gongura and other speciality dishes of the region. He said, “I like this system of joint family where everyone lives together.” After I quit EMRI abruptly, he called me and said, “I will not ask for the reason, but I will ask you what you will do tomorrow. I want you to continue to teach and inspire and write a book to teach more.” So, I did and presented my first book to him.

Venkat Changavalli

Author, Management Consultant, Leadership Mentor and Director on the board of SBH

POLITE YET CANDID

The day was February 4, 2013, when he was to speak in a seminar in the city on the role of women ensuring a cleaner society. Among the ones to coordinate his visit on behalf of my college, I saw him entering the Satya Sai Nigamagamam auditorium early. He was sitting among the crowd and was enquiring about a luxurious chair placed on the stage. Realising it was for him, he told that to be removed and be given the same chair as others. When he was to answer the last question in the seminar, an announcer had mistakenly told ‘one lady question’ instead of uttering it as one last question from a lady. He then humorously remarked, “So, even questions have gender?” Even before he left the place, he had asked my college principal, “So, can I leave?” with utmost humility. In an other incident where his frankness came to the fore, there was a newly floated media house that asked him his best wishes for their firm and he, not knowing them personally had simply asked, “I need to know you before I wish.”

C. Sudarshan

Retired Economics Lecturer

‘HE WALKED THE TALK’

I was fortunate to attend an event in a school where Dr Kalam was invited to interact with the children. He kept his speech short and wanted children to ask him questions.

A boy of 7 asked him how old he was and the physics teacher in him answered, “82 orbits of earth around the sun” and went on explaining as the boy looked puzzled.

The most striking answer to a question from a parent as to how to deal with corruption in the country, his instant reply was “stop corruption in your house first and the country will change. Stop bribing your kids and teach them to earn their rewards and the country shall change.”

Dr. Kalam also shared various experiences about how the teachers in his life changed his perspective on everything. “If we only impart knowledge and not teach values then we are only training the mind and not the heart,” he added.

He freely shared his email id and promised a prompt reply to everyone within 48 hours. “Ask me anything, share your dreams and goals, about how you want to change your country.”

Myriam Siddham

Consultant Psychologist

HIS WORDS SPUR US ON

An eternal optimist with amazing energy, Dr. Kalam has been an inspiration to me like to billion others in many ways. I was fortunate to meet up with this legend personally to extend invite to our SKILLS2010 conference back in April 2010. Dr. Kalam’s inspirational address later at SKILLS2010 Conference that saw our exercise as “Human Empowerment through knowledge and Skills” cemented my commitment to the cause of skills development. Our agenda for rural development stems from this inspiration.

We aim to make his vision true soon as our sincere tributes to the inspiring rural development visionary dedicated until last breath. His saying “Dream is not that you see in sleep, dream is something that does not let you sleep,” always spurs us on to work harder to achieve our goals.

Ravi K Reddy

Chartered Accountant