Kalam, man of the masses, says Sourav Ganguly
“We met Dr Kalam when we came back from the World Cup in 2003” Ganguly said
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-07-29 02:54 GMT
New Delhi: As the nation mourns the death of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, ex-India captian Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday recalled his meeting with the former President, saying he was honoured to receive the Padma Shri from the great scientist.
“We met Dr Kalam when we came back from the World Cup in 2003. I had the honour of having quite a few interactions with him. I got the Padma Shri from him (2004) and the moment you met the gentleman you could see that he was one of the most down-to-earth person,” Ganguly said here.
“He was hugely educated, a science wizard and a man for the masses. As all of us have to go in life, all of us have our numbers written, but it’s how you go. And because of the way he served the country, because of the way he contributed to the younger generation, to the students, he will live forever,” he added.
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was among a host of dignitaries, who paid homage to the late former President.
“The nation mourns the loss of a great person. Former President of India, a renowned scientist, an inspiration to all, a terrific human being.. RIP Abdul Kalam,” Tendulkar tweeted.
Ganguly became emotional remembering the Indian team’s interactions with Kalam after their runners-up finish in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
“He wished the team. I remember Anil Kumble asked him about his subject. He knew little about cricket and we tried to explain to him how 11 men move around a cricket ball. But whenever we met him we realised that his world and thinking was different,” the 43-year-old recalled.
Inspiration to all: Pujara
As a tribute to the late former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, members of the India ‘A’ team and the visiting Australians would observe two minute’s silence before play on the opening day of the second four-day match at Chepauk on Wednesday.
Said India ‘A’ skipper Cheteshwar Pujara said: “We will all be missing him. I pray to almighty that his soul rests in peace. I have read his books starting from Vision 2020. The kind of knowledge that he has shared with the entire country is phenomenal. He has been an inspirational person for our nation,” he said.
Truly a bharat ka ratan: Balbir Singh
Sporting legends Milkha Singh and Balbir Singh Senior on Tuesday paid rich tributes to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, describing him as a visionary who ignited young minds. “A self-made man who rose from a humble background to occupy the country’s highest office. He was truly a people’s President and a rare gem,” Milkha said. Added the 91-year-old hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr, “Truly a Bharat ka Ratan (India’s gem). He was a visionary,” Balbir Sr said.