When APJ Abdul Kalam got more cheers than M S Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir

CHENNAI: When a Class 5 student asked A P J Abdul Kalam about his hairstyle, the former President responded: “Does it not suit me?“ And then, he grinned. Such was the approach of Kalam that he became an instant hit with students.

A darling with the young ones, Kalam always walked into educational institutions to deafening applause and cheers. Correspondent of Sree Niketan Group of Schools, Vishnucharan recalls a recent programme at the school where several famous personalities like M S Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir and Sivamani were present.

“However, the loudest cheers erupted when Kalam entered the room. He was clearly the rockstar,“ he said. In a recent visit to Sastra University in Thanjavur in April, Kalam spent hours on the campus interacting with students about their research. Says Janani Radhakrishnan, a PhD scholar in nanotechnology: “He came to the campus around 9 pm and came to our research labs and sat with us till midnight.“