November 21, 2006

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Chinese President Hu Jintao (b. 1942) visited India and President Kalam invited me to meet him. His calm and poise was very compelling. He looked at me like a sage and heard with interest the interpreter conveying my praise for his path-breaking initiatives to improve socio-economic equality through the scientific outlook on development. His vision of a ‘Harmonious Socialist Society’ that was prosperous and free of social conflict, is indeed the vision of India and, for that matter, of the entire developing world.

President Kalam, in his usual late night sittings after such ceremonial visits, told me, “Our political leaders must learn the art of collective leadership so effectively practiced by President Hu. I like this guy. China is indeed blessed with great leaders.” Six years later, in 2012, after completing his ten years’ term, when Hu Jintao voluntarily retired from all positions and disappeared from the public scene, Dr. Kalam again recalled him and said that perhaps, in ancient times, the Chinese philosopher and writer, Lao Tzu, would have been like Hu Jintao

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