APJ Abdul Kalam and his capital diaries
For many years, Kalam, a bachelor, stayed at a lodge near Guruvayurappan hotel on the Gandhari Amman Coil street
THIRUVANANTHAPUrAM: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam spent more than two decades of his life in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram while he was working at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) here.
For many years, Kalam a bachelor, stayed at a lodge near Guruvayurappan hotel on the Gandhari Amman Coil street.
According to hotel owner Parameswaran Nair , the former president patronised the hotel for over 20 years. During those days he used to relish kanji or rice gruel for dinner.
During one of his visits to State capital after becoming President, he invited Mr Nair and his entire family to Raj Bhavan and spend some time with them.
The photographs of that visit along with many other pictures taken along with Dr Kalam are put up on the walls of his hotel.
He visited Gandhari Amman Coil street to refresh old memories. On that occasion he didn’t forget to speak to a cobbler who used to work near the hotel. “George eppidi irik-kae? Saukhyama?” (How are you Geor-ge? Hope you are fine!) he asked while passing by his kiosk.
The cobbler recollected how often Kalam used to sit on the bench near his kiosk and speak to him for almost 30 minutes while getting his shoes repaired.
The former president spent free time listening to music and practising veena.