He worked under Kalam on India's Integrated Guided Missile Development programme and the Trishul and Akash missile projects. He is also credited with designing the country's first titanium bottle used to power missiles.
After quitting the missile projects due to ill-health, he joined the healthcare industry, trying to use his expertise to develop better medical products. He won the Defence Technology Spin-Off Award for the development of an indigenous coronary stent known as the Kalam-Raju stent,
One of his favourite projects remains co-authoring Wings of Fire with President Kalam. "I consider it a part of my destiny that I happened to write the biography of Dr Abdul Kalam. Actually, I co-authored it with him. It was just like a pilgrimage for me -- suddenly I got this once-in-lifetime chance to know the intricacies and depth of an enlightened mind like Dr Abdul Kalam. It was a great act of benevolence as far as I am concerned," he told rediff.com in a 2002 interview.
He answered questions via e-mail.
As someone who knows the President well what is your assessment of this Presidency?
The popular perception of the Indian Presidency is that of a figurehead who presides over ceremonies with a passive approval and graceful acceptance. A grandpa watching a boisterous marriage party makes a good metaphor. I perceive the office of the President as a roof that connects the four pillars of Indian State, namely, government, legislature, judiciary and traditions. The public lives on the roof. It is safe only if the roof is level and strong.
From this point of view, Dr Kalam's Presidency has been excellent.
In which areas has the President succeeded in achieving what he set out doing?
When he assumed the office of President, Dr Kalam was on his personal mission of visiting school children and interacting with them to instil the belief of living in a developed nation. He continued that and has by now met a million children. He succeeded in creating awareness about India as a developed nation and the importance of enlightened citizenry.
When he started talking about 10 per cent growth rate in 1995, no one believed him. It is a reality today. No bank is now disbursing bad loans and no one is begging for freebies. An unprecedented dignity has emerged amongst people and organisations.
What areas did he not achieve the same degree of success and why?
President Kalam started concentrating about concepts like unity of minds, providing urban facilities in rural areas and righteousness. He could bring together 15 religious leaders on a single platform evolving a unique spiritual declaration. Rural development is getting priority now. And there is increasing awareness amongst youth about the righteousness. Dr Kalam took up these difficult issues which remained elusive even to Gandhiji.
As a scientist, is the President at ease with the political complexities he is called to deal with? How does he go about determining what the best course of action is when confronted by a political decision like when to dismiss a state government or hold up the appointment of a judge? Does he approach the problem in a scientific manner, considering all sides of the equation before solving it to the best of his ability?
Science demands evidence. A hypothesis is formed and checked through critical observation. Our politics is not only complex but also complicated. He did attempt scientific methodology but there is too much of hypocrisy around.
What has given him the greatest pleasure as President? Why? And the least pleasure? Why?
This being a very subjective question, I can only make a guess. I found him neither elated nor depressed. He says there is a lot to learn in failures. He is very pleased interacting with school children. Also, he was very pleased after flying the Sukhoi-30.
Has the President been surprised by his huge popularity? How do you explain the manner in which he has struck a chord with the nation, especially the young?
Popularity has a long association with him. In fact the nation rejoiced when his name came for the Presidency. In three hours or so the contest was a closed affair. The youth sees that he has an honest understanding of their problems and wise discern about what is good for the nation. He gives hope.
Is he the same person you have known for a long time? Have you noted any changes in him after he became President? What are his most endearing qualities as a human being?
He is the same person I met first in 1982. He has been a project director personified, always pushing and demanding. After he became President he very considerably brought down this aggression. He is also more reflective now. He spends long hours in the Mughal Gardens. His most endearing quality as a human being is his compassion. He cares for people.
Many Indians would like a second term for President Kalam. Why is there such uncertainty about it? Is it because the President himself does not desire a second term and wants to return to academia? Will the President agree to a second term if he is nominated by all parties? What is the difficulty in achieving this consensus? Do you believe there are political parties who would defy national sentiment and not nominate the President?
He never desired or pursued the Presidency in the first place. In 2002, the Presidency was offered to him by the nation. So there is nothing like the President himself does not desire a second term and wants to return to academia. That is not the point. The point is what the nation desires. Do we want to pursue developmental politics or not? The five years ahead will see India striving for harmony within itself. The 10 per cent growth rate can't be allowed to become a social tumour. I believe our leaders understand that.
The question is not whether Dr Kalam is offered a second term and whether he accepts the offer, the question is whether we as a nation are in for developmental politics. The nation is indeed at a cross-road at this juncture. It must decide now.
