Meeting the President of India

I met President R. Venkataraman in October 1995 at the United Nations country office in New Delhi. He was accompanied by India’s former Ambassador to the United States Dr. Karan Singh and the Director of United Nations Information Centre. It was a special day to observe the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations on 24th October with the President. A special function to remember the work of the UN was held for all senior diplomats and UN officials on that day. I was there to speak on the role of Indian youth in the context of thinking globally and acting locally!


The current President of India Dr. A.P.J. Adul Kalam is also a great supported of children and youth. Dr. Kalam is one of the most distinguished scientists of India with the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions. He was the Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development from July 1992 to December 1999. During this period he led to the weaponisation of strategic missile systems and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in collaboration with Department of Atomic Energy, which made India a nuclear weapon State. Dr. Kalam became the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002. His focus is on transforming India into a developed nation by 2020.