Man of humility

The former president Dr Abdul Kalam said that when he left the presidential palace, he did so with only two small suitcases. He has already donated all the gifts he received to the national museum. Here is a man of principles and values. He will return to his favourite profession of teaching youngsters, as an ordinary educator.

This is the advantage of having professionals in positions of public service. They never cling to public office, because they have their professions to fall back on. When he assumed office, he learnt that Rashtrapati Bhavan, his official abode, had over 300 rooms. He shocked his officials by telling them, he needed only one room!

The primary job of the president of a country, is to present the country to the world. The primary job of a government is to preserve the values and principles of a country. Thus, it becomes critical to have a President like Ms Patil who will not challenge the decisions of a government, like Dr Kalam could have.

India's politicians need to remember that India is nobody's private property. The cobblers, tailors, street vendors and labourers of India cannot be taken for granted.

— The writer is a Gulf News reader based in Dubai.

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