Mangalore: Dr Kalam Leaves behind an Imprint of Simplicity and Charisma
Richie Lasrado / Sumalatha
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Praveen Tauro
A P J Abdul Kalam opined that over the last 127 years, a number of charitable institutions were founded in and around Mangalore, starting with the one set up by Rev Fr Augustus Muller, and they have been involved in bringing cheers on the faces of the poor sick people.
His charming spell captivated the audience, especially the student community in the stadium.
Addressing the gathering, former president Abdul Kalam recalled his own education which he obtained in a Jesuit Institution, while also appreciating the efforts made by the Christian missionaries who are working towards wiping the tears from the eyes of the poor.
Father Augustus Muller was a great visionary and because of his efforts people in and around Mangalore are getting good treatment, he said.
"I can visualize Fr Augustus Muller sitting under a banyan tree, distributing medicines to the poor. Today the hospital has thousands of beds and is popularly known as the common man's hospital," Kalam stated.
Recalling the contribution made by Madam Curie who invented radiation by X-ray at the cost of her life, Kalam said, that her sacrifice will be remembered always.
Kalam also prescribed the 'peace mantra' to the students. He made the audience repeat the following quotation: "Where there is righteousness in the hearts, it leads to beauty of character, beauty of character leads to harmony at home, harmony at home leads to order in the country and order in the country brings peace to the world".
Righteousness in the heart can be filled only by three persons viz., father, mother and one's elementary class teacher. Stressing on the need for providing social support to cancer patients, Kalam spoke on how three of his friends who are suffering from cancer are fighting cancer with great courage.
Doctors have got a responsibility to give psychological support to their patients, he stated. Speaking on the technological advancements taking place in the field of healthcare, Kalam said research in stem cell would bring revolution in the field of healthcare.
Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore said, "It was a dream envisioned in 2005 during the centenary celebrations of Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI). Now, it is being realized. The other dream was to introduce health card to the patients, which too was realized this year.
The Bishop said that life from womb to the tomb is sacred, hence life should be respected, irrespective of caste and creed. The noble founder of Fr Muller Charitable Institutions has continued to guide the management of the hospital to carry on its mission of helping the poor.
Union minister Oscar Fernandes said the union government has embarked on a special project to provide healthcare to every citizen through insurance schemes. The necessary infrastructure will be set up in the villages to ensure that every villager gets acces to the required medical treatment.
At the end, Fr Muller Medical College administrator Fr Denis D'Sa proposed a vote of thanks. On his way out, Dr Kalam walked up to the choir of 127 members, representing the 127 years completed by Fr Muller institutions, and posed with them for a photo. The young singers were seen happy to pose with the former president of India, who was popularly known as the People's President during his tenure as the eleventh president of the country.
In the final count, the star of the event was certainly Dr Abdul Kalam. He invited select five doctors from the audience to shoot questions at him. He answered them in detail, even though a couple of them were quite tricky. A young student read out a poem in his honour, which he appreciated and relished. There was also a scramble for autographs as he was leaving the dais. Later during the day, Dr Kalam was to visit Dharmasthala to take part in the 'Sarva Dharma Sammelan', an annual event at the famed pilgrimage centre.
Dr Kalam, for sure, left an indelible imprint on everyone in the audience, esp the student community.
Mangalore: Fr Muller Institutions Welcome Dr Abdul Kalam
Spot Updates: 12.10 pm, Dec 9, 2007
Fr Patrick Rodrigues, in his introductory speech, spoke on the acheivements made by the institution. He stated that the Fr Muller Medical Hospital is known as the common man's hospital. Dr Abdul Kalam has unvieled the inaugural plaque.
Dr Kalam has reached the stadium. As soon as he reached he was given a standing ovation. The college choir made of 127 singers sang the Institution anthem 'We come to comfort and to heal, to love and serve in woe and heal. Father Muller Charitable Institutions director Fr Patrick Rodrigues welcomed the guests.
Fr Rodrigues in his welcome addressed expressed his happiness over the presence of the former president A P J Abdul Kalam. All are eagerly waiting to listen to one of the best presidents India ever had.