Kalam was adored by all, irrespective of religion

This refers to the article, “Why did some Muslims ignore Abdul KalamIJ” (August 3) by Balbir Punj. The answer to this question is implicit within the article as the author's plea of ‘some Muslims' does not stand for ‘many Muslims' and positively not ‘all Muslims or the whole community'. Hence, the views of a handful can’t be foisted on the entire community. APJ Abdul Kalam was really a man of the soil who embraced India's unity in diversity. From the humble milieu to the Prime Minister's chief scientific adviser to the head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation and finally to the holder of the 11th Indian presidency was the former President's rags-to-riches story throwing adequate light on his firm determination.

Arguably, but for the ruling NDA's support, Kalam would not have been the President of India. Hence, kudos to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was impressed with Kalam's potential but let’s not rule out the Samajwadi Party supremo's claims that he had suggested Abdul Kalam’s for President.