Sir — This refers to the report, “Gita, Veena with Kalam’s statue upset Congress, Dravidians”, (July 31). APJ Abdul Kalam was an illustrious son of India and his memory deserves undoubted praise and preservation. But at the same time, what is wrong to place the Bhagavad Gita at his statueIJ The book is an ocean of knowledge which helps one realise one’s potential and the connect with a greater power. It does not deal with just mundane religion.
It is a book of logic and soul. lord Krishna is the narrator of he book. Political elements in Tamil Nadu are looking for an opportunity to denigrate this invaluable scripture and they pounced on it for the umpteenth time in the recent controversy regarding Kalam’s memorial. The presence of this holy scripture at Kalam’s memorial will only enhance the respect people have for him. It is not as if it has damagedhis secular image.
Abdul Kalam, who was a genuinely secular person, graciously accepted, read and appreciate the Bhagavad Gita. It is his personal preference to read it in leisure, thus the memorial having Gita along with the statue is perfectly appropriate.