Talk:A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Featured Article

Hello all, How about collaborating on Dr. Abdul Kalam page for Featured article of the day on July 25, 2007. July 25, 2007 will be the last day of Dr. Abdul Kalam as the president of India. --Phoe6 14:56, 20 July 2007 (UTC)

Lots of work needs to be done to make this article a higher quality one. I think we have already missed the July 25, 2007 date as some other article has come up in the queue. But let us work on it to expand the article and make it FA status. --Phoe6 08:11, 23 July 2007 (UTC)

Proof that Kalam was a Newspaper Vendor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2043527.stm

The article states His father owned boats which he rented out to local fishermen, but he (Kalam) himself began his career as a newspaper vendor.

Any objection you guys have for me adding this.--138.88.117.66 17:53, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

I also feel we need to talk more about him accomplishments such as HAL Tejas (It's also known as LCA)--138.88.117.66 18:04, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

So no objections to me changing it then ?--71.163.69.149 22:58, 16 August 2006 (UTC)

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Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam claims that he is NOT a Muslim. His parents were Muslim, but he claims to read Hindu literature, to practice vegetarianism, and does not attend a mosque. Can anybody provide any more detail? -- Zoe

All I know is that every radio report and news article I've come across so far in the Western media mentioning him claims that he is A) a "moderate" Muslim and B) also well-versed in the Hindu sacred literature. (And therefore more acceptable to Hindus, and offensive to some Muslims who see him as a sign that a real Muslim would not be acceptable to the Indian public.) An NPR report I remember listening to a week or two ago claimed he "quotes the Mahabharata almost as often as he does the Koran". I'd definitely want more documentation before changing that characterization in the article... --Brion VIBBER

From the 07/19/2002 Los Angeles Times: "Although born to Muslim parents, Kalam, 71, does not describe himself as Muslim. He reads Hindu scriptures each day and is a vegetarian." -- Zoe

Dr Kalam, is a Muslim, as he writes in his books Ignited Minds, and Wings of Fire,

and I have personally read them. --Muthiah Annamalai 05:04, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

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When he was inauguarated as President there was a lot of writing in the Indian papers about whether he was a real Muslim. Some of the more orthodox Indian Muslims felt that because he read the Kural and Gita he wasn't really a Muslim. Kalam himself identifies himself as a Muslim (and has done that on numerous occasions), I even remember an article about him visiting the shrine of Gharib Nawaz, a famous Indian Sufi, and that I think should be enough evidence to suggest that he is a Muslim. I'm Hindu but I've read the Bible and liked it, that doesn't make me a non-Hindu. It isn't for some cleric to decide who is or isn't a Muslim because Islam does not have that kind of organization (as opposed to say Catholicism or any other organised church where the Pope etc can excommunicate you). As long as he says he's a Muslim (which he explicitly does) that should be enough

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Cancel request to see Talk. — Toby 15:25 Jul 23, 2002 (PDT)

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I called Islam his "family's" faith again, due to the LA Times quotation above by Zoe. But if Muslim scholars consider him Muslim (even if he does not call himself that), then I will put that in the article as well. -- Toby Bartels 23:56, 11 Jan 2004 (UTC)

Increasing intelligence through bio-implants

I've searched online but haven't been able to find any news site or other website that refers to Abdul Kalam's support for research to increase intelligence through bio-implants, mentioned on this page. It would be useful to have a reference for this on the page, as it sounds pretty radical. --RajeevA.

Newspaper seller?

I've been told that Kalam was broke used to sell newspapers as a kid. Since Wikipedia does not mention this, I'm guessing that it is an urban legend. Can anyone confirm the validity of this? If it does happen to be true, I guess that it should be added.

He does mention in his autobiography "Wings of Fire" that he did use to sell newspapers as a kid, so i guess it must be true !

Re : Newspaper seller?

It's not an Urban Legend. Like you said, it was in his Autobiography "Wings Of Fire". Yes it is True. Sohil

Present Political system

Respected sir,

If we analyse the present political system, their prime motive to come in to power. To come in to power they will promise before electins which is just impossible to implement. To retain the power of coalliation government they are keeping their moral valus aside.

he wasnt broke, but as a kid he did help out a relayive or friend in distributing newspapers (its in his biography 'wings of fire') tessanoth

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I doubt Abdul Kalam is anything like that. Besides Presidential elections in India have little to do with the public. The Autobiography came out after he was elected. Besides if Krishna Kanth didn't die (Yes the former VP had no intention of running) I doubt Kalam would even have been considered.

One must also take note that Presidents in India don't have much power. He by far has done more than every president in the past 30 years put together. He I think also won the election on his weight with the involvement of Operation Shakthi and his involvement with ISRO etc and his status as a National Hero.

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--138.88.81.141 00:22, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

Dr Kalam as a poet

Dr Kalam happens to write poetry. there is no mention of that in this article sumal 13:39, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

External link

Hi, I would like to add an external link to the World of Biography entry to this article. Does anybody have any objections ? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jameswatt (talk • contribs) 14 April 2006 (UTC)

Note: This user has added similar requests to link to biographies hosted on the same site to about 50 different articles. Although I believe that these requests were made in good faith, adding the links to all of the articles would be spamming. In addition, the biographies tend to be not very insightful and/or minimally informative, and the webpages contain Google AdSense links.

A fuller explanation of my own opinion on these links can be found here, if anyone wishes to read it.

Hbackman 23:16, 14 April 2006 (UTC)

I have removed the words "his family's faith" as it is misleading.Bharatveer 04:24, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

Constitution of India, Part IV-A, Fundamental Duties

Constitution of India, Part IV-A, Fundamental Duties.

Article 51A : It shall be the duty of every citizens of India -

(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.

Comment : Present President APJ Abdul Kalam (I say muslim President) offers chaddar to Ajmer sharif Officially and in the article the President of India and profiles of APJ Abdul Kalam it is given that he is Scientist, Missile Technologist. The Wikipedia Encyclopedia gives some contradictory information.

vkvora 17:30, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

huh??! --hydkat 20:12, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

Red Tape, Bureaucracy, Corruption, Political corruption, Bribery, Extortion, Graft, Money Laundering all are part and parcel of Religon. vkvora 05:24, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Your blabbering :( This section is meant to discuss how to improve the article, plz create a blog page in livejournal or blogger.com if you want to promote your opinion, and people interested in it might read it there. Thank you! --hydkat 20:31, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Not a tamil politician

Abdul Kalam was never a politician. I fail to see how he can be classified under Category:Tamil politicians ... removing it. --hydkat 22:30, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

Abdul Kalam was and is a politician. He has taken more than 15 days to sign the bill where as in Constitution of India it is clearly given as soon as possible. Only the question is how deal is completed is not know to general public. He is also part and parcel of Corruption. User:Vkvora2001|vkvora]] 11:54, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

Your above comments is a blatant point of view supported by nonsensical statements--hydkat 12:42, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

Any appliction for New Ration Card is withhold and reason best known to concerned clerk, Inspector or rationing Officer. Corruption start.

Trivia

in the trivia section , please make corrections.it say "he is the first president to fly ..."...he didnt fly a bomber.he took a sortie accompanied by the pilot who flew the craft.its a blunder to say kalam was the first president to fly a fighter.he was the first to fly IN a fighter.make that correction.....thanks.dinesh. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.251.19.29 (talk • contribs) 15:46, 20 August 2006.

about Article111, of the Indian Constitution

I read Article-111, its very ambiguous about when the president should pass the bill if he must. I've removed an edit saying the president should do so 'as soon as possible': [1]

 Article 111: Assent to Bills
 When a Bill has been passed by the Houses of Parliament,it 
 shall be presented to the President, and the President 
 shall declare either that he assents to the Bill, or that 
 he withholds assent therefrom: Provided that the President 
 may, as soon as possible after the presentation to him of 
 a Bill for assent, return the Bill if it is not a Money 
 Bill to the Houses with a message requesting that they 
 will reconsider the Bill or any specified provisions 
 thereof and, in particular, will consider the desirability 
 of introducing any such amendments as he may recommend in 
 his message, and when a Bill is so returned, the Houses 
 shall reconsider the Bill accordingly, and if the Bill is 
 passed again by the Houses with or without amendment and 
 presented to the President for assent, the President 
 shall not withhold assent therefrom.

--hydkat 13:20, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

There is no ambigity in the Article. It is clearly written and why APJ Abdul Kalam the President of India has withhold the Bill is a main question. Not only that it is self impeachment to APJ Abdul Kalam also. vkvora 15:32, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

I think your main grudge is that he took an undue amount of time to pass some bill... that any delay in his part amounts to an impeachable offense. Understand that this is your POV. --hydkat 10:37, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

Profit Bill presented for assent was returned by APJ Abdul Kalam the President of India for reconsideration. Both the Houses have passed the same Bill without any single change or without amendment and assented by APJ Abdul Kalam. This is self impeachment leads to Harakiri only except ???. vkvora 11:25, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

I fail to see how... --hydkat 11:44, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

The last line of Article 111 is ...the President shall not withhold assent.... vkvora 13:20, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

then why are you adding the word "immediately " then??Bharatveer 03:47, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

I put back the part that says he comes from the Marakkar Community in South India. He is also not the only one from that community to achieve recognition, so I added is one the few --hydkat 07:13, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Note: If you believe he is not from that particular community plz delete... --hydkat 07:19, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Identity

Identity section especially 2nd Paragraph seems to be totally unsourced. (It talks totally irrelevant subjects like Congress views,Communist views,BJP views about India) which don't need to be mentioned in Biography article of Indian president. It does not have specific message. I feel that section needs to be removed or to be modified with citations or more specific message.

I have removed that paragraph which is original research.--Indianstar 11:49, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

    
          
      dear   president of india

                i am studying BE EEE in namakkal  please salem to chidambaram route
      is damage .please arrange me good manner

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 61.1.220.226 (talk • contribs) 18:19, 1 January 2007.

Criticism section

The entire article tends to veer into POV and probably needs a thorough check, but the "criticism" section was particularly egregious:

Kalam has been the subject of strong criticism from leftists in the Indian press, Praful Bidwai being among his staunchest critics . Bidwai was later criticised for his unsubstantiated claims.

When his name was proposed for the Presidency, a sustained campaign was carried out alleging he was not a devout enough Muslim and portraying him as a hardline nationalist. With characteristic humility he ignored these criticisms to subsequently emerge as one of the most popular Presidents - one who, for many, has raised the prestige of the Presidency to new heights.

"Unsubstantiated claims"? "Characteristic humility"? If there is not to be a neutral summary of the criticism that has been made, the article is better off without the section.--Eloquence* 18:53, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Dear Our Roll model !

We are proud of You ! 

Muruganand

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 218.248.68.198 (talk • contribs) 14:45, 7 February 2007.

The name written in Hindhi language has mistake: Pakir

The name in Hindhi has error for the part Pakir. With current name in hindhi it will look "Pikar" in English. How can we make sure its correct? help please. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.239.172.72 (talk) 14:09, 20 January 2007 (UTC).

Whether his religion has to be mentioned

Why do we mention religion only for him? Religion is not mentioned for other presidents of India?--Indianstar 05:39, 26 January 2007 (UTC)

Well, the Sikh religion has been mentioned for the Sikh President. As for the other presidents, they are all Hindu. But you are right. the Hindu religion should be mentionned for them

Not true. India has had several Muslim Presidents such as Zakir Hussain, Muhammad Hidayat Ullah and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. If you didn't know India has even had a Sikh President, Zail Singh. Vishnuchakra 20:34, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

Get real!

Is this article a joke? Seems like the one who wrote it is in love with Abdul Kalam. I very much doubt that this man is Superman - but that's the picture this article paints. It would be nice to read something about him that at least seems to be reliable and not obviously is political propaganda written by his closest supporters.

Why so crippled?

Why the article has been crippled a lot? The image I have added (Image:Kalam zoomed in school photo.jpg)too have been removed. --Rrjanbiah 12:09, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

Tenure as a president ??

How come nothing is written about his tenure as a president????? Gprince007 05:14, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

Protection

I protected the article following vandalism and an instant stream of protests to the Foundation. Feel free to have the page unprotected if you have sufficient resources to monitor it. David.Monniaux 06:10, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Arabic letters

I do not understand how writng Kalams name in Arabic is relavant. It should be written in Hindi and Urdu. Arabic is neither an official language in India nor the language of Kalam. 70.64.15.193

Citations

The citations & the trivia section (except for the heading) has been chopped off. Not integrated, cleanly deleted. I cant find the old one either. Somebody please do something...

POV

The People's President section is irreparably POV. The idea itself of a People's President section is POV. I just wanted to mention such a large change (removing the section) before I made it. Millancad 03:10, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Apolitical President

I am not sure that Kalam is Apolitical at all. The term Apolitical doesn't mean that the person is not associated with any political party. Rather it means that the person is indifferent towards political parties. Since there is no source to say that Kalam considers all parties indifferently and doesn't, at a personal level, support any one, I think it would be logical to remove this sentence from the article. Cheers--Shahab 06:33, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

What's needed to make it FA

Hey guys can someone please make a shortlist of the essential things that need to be added/done to make this a featured article, so that some of us can get on with it. Regards -- Amit 23:12, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

I think info regarding Kalam's early life(1 full section), His career as a missile scientist(1 paragraph) and tenure as President(1 section) and his current life, is what is needed. Lots of the info can be taken from Wings of Fire including some of Kalam's quotations and possibly a few incidents. Cheers--Shahab 09:11, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Its a very short article for a person like him. I believe there are lot of issues which are not reported here like his stands on various political issues. He was a very quite president and he completed the term quietly and I believe he would better serve the nation by teaching (which I think he would be doing). because our political system is such that they are their to just fill the pocket and let the nation rote to hell and now after this election the circle is complete. Ekant 15:54, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

I'll try and get some info from "Wings of Fire" -- Amit 05:00, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

When he joined DRDO his first project was building a hovercraft, which he successfully completed. If possible try to get the old pictures of Dr.Kalam and his friends assembling small rockets and taking it to the launched using bicycles in Thumba. Chanakyathegreat 13:36, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

I think I saw one of those in a newspaper, or perhaps it was a textbook... I'll see if I can get them -- Amit 14:33, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

I've got hold of the book, fellas (Wings of Fire). It's not very big, unlike what I thought. But I don't think I'll get around to reading it until next weekend. 125.21.164.251 05:50, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

People's President

seach google for "People's President" Some one seems to have an objection to calling Dr Kalam the people's president... 59.92.180.85 19:32, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

Kalam is a people's president and he is called by the Media and the people in that manner. In Wikipedia also the relevant change can be made. I support it. Chanakyathegreat 13:32, 31 July 2007 (UTC)