Journal
The writings of Swiss psychiatrist and philosopher Carl Gustav Jung (1875 –1961) have been my personal guidepost. Inspired by his autobiographical ‘Memories, Dreams, Reflections’ published in 1957, when he was eighty-one years old, I am presenting here a record of my significant experiences in public life and sharing feelings, emotions, and reflections that sprung up from these events. They offered me help in
June 20, 2016
Dr. Kalam and I went to Sarangpur, Gujarat, to present to Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj, the spiritual Guru of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS), the first copy of the book, ‘Transcendence…
January 24, 2016
I met the former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa (b. 1938), at Dar es Salaam. I was invited there for the release of the book, ‘Transcendence’, and met there for the first time, the Indian origin Tanzanian, Mahesh Patelji…
January 24, 2016
My connection with Africa started with President APJ Abdul Kalam’s visit to Tanzania in September 2004. I did not go with him on this trip. Still, I got involved after he was told about the plight of Tanzanian children suffering from…
January 29, 2013
Dr. Kalam took me to the Young Indian Leaders’ Conclave in Gandhinagar. Chief Minister Narendra Modi received him and surprisingly, I was included in what was supposed to be a tête-à-tête. Modi ji affectionately made me sit…
November 17, 2010
After moving out of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2007, Dr Kalam lived at 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, which became my address until his departure in 2015…
March 7, 2007
President George Bush came to India. Dr. Soma Raju and I were invited by President Kalam to the ceremonial reception, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The horse-mounted Presidential bodyguards, in their royal regalia…
November 21, 2006
Chinese President Hu Jintao (b. 1942) visited India and President Kalam invited me to meet him. His calm and poise was compelling. He looked at me like a sage and heard with interest the interpreter conveying my praise…
October 20, 2006
Dr. B. Soma Raju and I visited the Bethune Military Medical and Nursing College, Shijiazhuang, China. We were invited to mark the release of ‘Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose Of Life’, penned by Dr. Kalam and I…
February 07, 2006
Dr. Jung-Ok Lee, a 51-year-old professor of Sociology at the Catholic University at Daegu, met Dr. Kalam and proposed to translate the book, ‘Guiding Souls’, barely a year after she had translated ‘Wings of Fire’. When Dr. Kalam asked…