Don’t Insult Dr. Abdul Kalam! Make his Delhi home a Knowledge Centre.

The Issue

Dr. Abdul Kalam’s residence, where he spent his last years in New Delhi, has been evacuated. On October 31 (2015), the keys of 10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, were handed over to the Union Urban Development Ministry so that the Union Minister of State for Culture, Mahesh Sharma, can move in. The Union Government has allocated this 'Temple of advanced learning' where one of the greatest patriots had worked for the nation by invigorating the youth energy, to Minister Mahesh Sharma. 

Thousands of Dr. Kalam’s books and documents that he worked on through his life, the Veena that he often played, were boxed up, so that Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who has been in the news recently for his sexist and discriminatory comments, can move in. Among those controversial statements by this Minister was the shocker that Kalam was a "nationalist despite being a Muslim".

These books and other belongings of Kalam were sent to his ancestral house in Rameswaram down south, where his family does not have enough space even to stack up those boxes and friendly neighbours helped by accommodating a few.

I’m shocked and appalled at this dishonor done to Kalam and the millions of right-thinking Indians by rejecting the appeal for setting up a Knowledge Centre at Kalam's residence.

Sign my petition asking the Government of India establish an 'Dr. Abdul Kalam International Knowledge Centre’ to honour Dr. Kalam. Even now, his books and other belongings can be brought back to prepare setting up the Centre at the place where he had lived.

If the Union Government chooses to stick to its decision to give this place to its controversial minister Mahesh Sharma, I had humbly requested Delhi Government to build a Kalam International Knowledge Centre using its own resources and fulfil the plea made by thousands of Indians and others to establish such a Centre, which would not only honour the legacy of Kalam but also serve as a nerve centre for research to develop solutions for our various socio-economic issues.

I am happy to say that the Delhi Government has agreed to build the Kalam Knowledge Centre in Delhi. Minister Kapil Sharma spoke to Kalam's family and conveyed the desire of the AAP Government to build the Centre. Now hopefully, the books and other belongings of Dr Kalam will soon travel back to Delhi to adorn the Knowledge Centre that will be built by the Delhi Government.

Moving Dr. Kalam’s work to the small town of Rameswaram is one of the biggest insults to the legacy of one of our greatest Presidents, who spent his last years inspiring the youth to contribute for the good of society.

Setting up 'Dr. Abdul Kalam International Knowledge Centre' at 10, Rajaji Marg, and opening it to general public, would have served as a universal destination for scholars, scientists and students where Dr. Kalam’s work will give practical and inexpensive solutions for our most critical issues. That would have been is the best way to honour a true patriot and the legend that was President Abdul Kalam, who selflessly served the country till his very last breath.

Even now, the Union Government can do this. I appeal to all the right-thinking people, all the Kalam admirers, to sign this petition to request the Modi Government to shift its culture minister Mahesh Sharma to some other place and establish the Abdul Kalam Knowledge Centre at 10, Rajaji Marg, without further delay.

Please.

avatar of the starter
Bhagwan SinghPetition Starter
Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 32,452 supporters!

The Issue

Dr. Abdul Kalam’s residence, where he spent his last years in New Delhi, has been evacuated. On October 31 (2015), the keys of 10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, were handed over to the Union Urban Development Ministry so that the Union Minister of State for Culture, Mahesh Sharma, can move in. The Union Government has allocated this 'Temple of advanced learning' where one of the greatest patriots had worked for the nation by invigorating the youth energy, to Minister Mahesh Sharma. 

Thousands of Dr. Kalam’s books and documents that he worked on through his life, the Veena that he often played, were boxed up, so that Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who has been in the news recently for his sexist and discriminatory comments, can move in. Among those controversial statements by this Minister was the shocker that Kalam was a "nationalist despite being a Muslim".

These books and other belongings of Kalam were sent to his ancestral house in Rameswaram down south, where his family does not have enough space even to stack up those boxes and friendly neighbours helped by accommodating a few.

I’m shocked and appalled at this dishonor done to Kalam and the millions of right-thinking Indians by rejecting the appeal for setting up a Knowledge Centre at Kalam's residence.

Sign my petition asking the Government of India establish an 'Dr. Abdul Kalam International Knowledge Centre’ to honour Dr. Kalam. Even now, his books and other belongings can be brought back to prepare setting up the Centre at the place where he had lived.

If the Union Government chooses to stick to its decision to give this place to its controversial minister Mahesh Sharma, I had humbly requested Delhi Government to build a Kalam International Knowledge Centre using its own resources and fulfil the plea made by thousands of Indians and others to establish such a Centre, which would not only honour the legacy of Kalam but also serve as a nerve centre for research to develop solutions for our various socio-economic issues.

I am happy to say that the Delhi Government has agreed to build the Kalam Knowledge Centre in Delhi. Minister Kapil Sharma spoke to Kalam's family and conveyed the desire of the AAP Government to build the Centre. Now hopefully, the books and other belongings of Dr Kalam will soon travel back to Delhi to adorn the Knowledge Centre that will be built by the Delhi Government.

Moving Dr. Kalam’s work to the small town of Rameswaram is one of the biggest insults to the legacy of one of our greatest Presidents, who spent his last years inspiring the youth to contribute for the good of society.

Setting up 'Dr. Abdul Kalam International Knowledge Centre' at 10, Rajaji Marg, and opening it to general public, would have served as a universal destination for scholars, scientists and students where Dr. Kalam’s work will give practical and inexpensive solutions for our most critical issues. That would have been is the best way to honour a true patriot and the legend that was President Abdul Kalam, who selflessly served the country till his very last breath.

Even now, the Union Government can do this. I appeal to all the right-thinking people, all the Kalam admirers, to sign this petition to request the Modi Government to shift its culture minister Mahesh Sharma to some other place and establish the Abdul Kalam Knowledge Centre at 10, Rajaji Marg, without further delay.

Please.

avatar of the starter
Bhagwan SinghPetition Starter

The Decision Makers

Kapil Mishra
Responded
Delhi Government to bring Dr. Kalam’s legacy to Delhi The Government of NCT of Delhi has immense respect for our late President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Limiting Dr. Kalam's work to Rameshwaram only and shifting all his documents, books and even Veena to Rameshwaram is an injustice. His residence should have been converted into a Knowledge Centre in a loving memory of the legend. His memorial should be in Delhi as well as in Rameshwaram because Dr. Kalam belongs to all of us. This is what the Delhi government had been urging all through. Despite repeated requests from family members and various other sections of the society, the Central Government evacuated Dr. Kalam’s house. But the Delhi Government wants to ensure that late President Dr. Kalam's legacy is respected and given the rightful honour. On behalf of the Delhi Government, I consider it a huge privilege to announce that based on Dr Kalam’s family’s consent letter to the Honourable Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Arvind Kejriwal dated November 11, 2015, we have decided bring Dr. Kalam’s legacy, books and possessions to New Delhi. As per the family’s request, the Delhi government is ready to bring back all of Dr.Kalam's books and possessions that were sent away from his 10, Rajaji Marg residence in Delhi. This will first begin by an exhibition at Delhi Haat INA with a creative presentation of his memories and heritage. This will be a temporary home for the public to visit one of the country’s most loveable Presidents. In the next few months, we will help set up the Research and Knowledge Center that Dr. Kalam would have truly loved to be his resting place, in the hearts and minds of people. A three-member committee consisting of Chandramohan Bassi, Senior Chief Manager at DTTDC; Sanjay Garg from Delhi Archives and BS Vasisht, Deputy Secretary of Art, Culture and Languages Ministry has been set up to facilitate this transfer of Dr. Kalam’s memories to its rightful place, New Delhi. Officials from the Ministry of Art and Culture will soon visit Dr Kalam’s house in Rameswaram to assess the quantity of his possessions and books. They will also make necessary arrangements in consultation with Dr Kalam’s family to move his belongings to Delhi as soon as possible. Further details regarding the Knowledge Centre and the time period for setting it up will be released soon. I take this opportunity to thank Dr. Kalam’s family and Mr Bhagwan Singh who started the petition on Change.org whose constant support to the cause of setting up a Knowlege Centre gave strength to the Delhi Government. Regards, Kapil Mishra Minister of Water, Tourism, Art, Culture and Languages Government of NCT of Delhi
Narendra Modi
Prime Minister of India
Kapil Mishra
Kapil Mishra

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