SHILLONG: Similar thoughts were shared by leaders PA Sangma, who died on March 4 in Delhi and former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who passed away in the city on July 27 last year. Kalam had written a foreword to Sangma’s book A life in Politics, which said that reading about Sangma will inspire young minds with the confidence that they can also climb to new heights in life by continuous acquisition of knowledge and ceaseless work. In the book, while writing his acknowledgements, Sangma said,” I have always believed in and admired the potential, talent, and strength of India’s younger generation. Sangma hoped that the new generations particularly young politicians will familiarize themselves with the economic problems and political issues confronting their respective states and Country as a whole. Earlier on March 4 in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, some state legislators had pointed out that the late leader Purno had inspired youths in the state and the country and focused on their empowerment as he had special love for the youths.
Incidentally, after the death of Kalam, the late Tura MP had urged Director of IIM Shillong, Dr. Amitabha De, to initiate steps to erect a life-size statue of Kalam on the IIM campus.
The former President had collapsed and died at IIM Shillong on July 27 while he was interacting with the students. Sangma made the recommendation after a written suggestion was submitted by a well wisher Dr. George John based in Dehradun. “The suggestion is worth consideration in the larger public interest, especially for the people of Meghalaya and I recommend the same with a request to initiate suitable steps in this regard,” the Sangma had said in the letter addressed to the IIM Director.
