MxMIndia

Tag: APJ Abdul Kalam

  • He discussed various aspects of news and gave his valuable guidance to the resident editors across the editions. He showed keen interest in the various aspects of the news papers and gave his suggestions

    Dr Kalam is the guest ed @ Prabhat Khabar

    By A Correspondent

     

    “If you only do what you know you can do – you never do very much.” That’s why Prabhat Khabar, the leading Hindi daily of eastern India, always seeks inspiration from personalities of eminence.

     

    On June 15, Prabhat Khabar was honoured to have Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India as the guest editor.

     

    When invited Dr. Kalam wanted to know, if Prabhat Khabar was owned by any political party or owed allegiance to any political group. After going through some of our issues he was convinced that Prabhat Khabar is an independent publication and attempts to raise issues of the ‘common man’ and be their voice to the government.

     

    After this assurance, Dr. Kalam agreed to be the guest editor for the day. Articles like children bypassing a vital educative link of their childhood and being burdened with the worries of the adulthood and the loneliness of senior citizen were appreciated by Dr. Kalam.

     

    He discussed various aspects of news and gave his valuable guidance to the resident editors across the editions. He showed keen interest in the various aspects of the news papers and gave his suggestions.

     

    Dr. Kalam is the founder of PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) and he was glad to know about Prabhat Khabar’s rural newspaper – Panchayinama. He called it a big step towards rural development.

     

    While leaving he gave his blessings to the Prabhat Khabar family for a bright future ahead. This is the first time Dr. Kalam had agreed to be a guest editor of any newspaper in Bihar, Jharkhand or West Bengal.

     

  • The biggest problem for the President of India, as far as I can see, is whether they can stand for hours, saluting, during the Republic Day parade

    [MJR] Who will guard the Republic?

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    The last week has been singularly dull as far as the news is concerned. No one jumped up and dominated the headlines as normal life (disaster, death, chaos, catastrophe, cricket, celebrities) continued on its normal course. But one question has been burning up the cyber waves and some print and hot air space: who will be the next President of India?

     

    Since many who live in neo-India believe that we already have and definitely should have an American-style presidential system (this justifying the large quantities of hamburgers and cupcakes which their progeny consume), the person who will assume this titular post is very important. The biggest problem for the President of India, as far as I can see, is whether they can stand for hours, saluting, during the Republic Day parade.

     

    But for neo-India, it is somebody who can represent India abroad and presumably, likes hamburgers and cupcakes. Even veggie hamburgers will do.

     

    The current incumbent, Pratibha Patil, has upset everyone in the ongoing battle of the Patils. The fact that she is building a house on army land has deeply upset a retired Lt Col, Suresh Patil. The fact that some rules were tweaked to build a very large house has got our hot air experts, our cyber warriors and large brigades of the generally self-righteous exceedingly upset. Anyway, she goes away in July.

     

    So then what?

     

    Some want the schoolchild-obsessed APJ Abdul Kalam to come back since he was popular though why we need a popular president beats me. Others think it is time Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was helped up the stairs to a ceremonious post. Still others think it should be Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who gets the privilege. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar’s name is up there in the mix. Former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma (he was a popular speaker, now!) was suggested but party boss Sharad Pawar has shot that one down.

     

    The most unimpeachable candidate seems to be the venerable Dr Karan Singh, but he may well be too erudite and well-spoken for neo-India to appreciate.

    The twitterati, as puerile as they are pliable, think that porn star Sunny Leone is a good choice.

    I leave you to chew over these choices, none of which we will make.

    You have until July.