APJ Abdul Kalam was the true representation of Indo-Islamic culture: Ram Nath Kovind

President Ram Nath Kovind being felicitated during the fourth Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture, at India Islamic Cultural Centre (IIC) in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Credit: PTI Photo

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said former president APJ Abdul Kalam was an ideal representation of Indo-Islamic culture.

Delivering the fourth APJ Abdul Kalam Azad memorial lecture organised by India Islamic Culture Centre (IIC), Kovind recalled the former president's remark that when music composer AR Rahman sings Vande Mataram, every countrymen connects to him.

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Kalam used to play 'veena' and read Quran and Geeta daily, liked Vidur from the Mahabharata for his ability to raise voice against injustice, Kovind said citing from a book by Kalam's former press secretary SM Khan.

Kovind said like Kalam, he also has full faith in the hard work and competence of the country's youth to build India's future.

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"He [Kalam] used to specially meet school children. He was sure that future generations will form the golden future of the country. I am also sure of competence and hard work of our youths. I also believe that girls will have an important role in country's development," he said.

The president also said that having visited many universities, he has observed that girls perform better than boys in higher education institutes.

He also said that stories of scientists should be part of stories of nation builders.