Former President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, called on Tibetan Spiritual leader and temporal head Dalai Lama

By Bijender Sharma

DHARMSHALA---Former President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, called on Tibetan Spiritual leader and temporal head Dalai Lama at his palace at Mcleodgunj, near here, today.

The meeting lasted more than half an hour and was attended by the Prime Minister of Tibetan Government in-exile, Prof. Samdong Rinpoche. The Deputy Commissioner Pant and the District police chief of Kangra were also present.

The Dalai Lama and Dr Kalam discussed religion and philosophy and exchanged books during the meeting, Prof Rinpoche said. Dr Kalam presented his two latest books to the Dalai Lama while the latter gifted three books 'Universe In Single Optom', 'Ethics in new millennium' and 'Shanti Devi's Bodhchariya Avtar' and a 'Thanku' painting to the former President.

Earlier in a rare gesture, the Dalai Lama personally received Dr Kalam and honoured him at the Kangra Airport. Dr Kalam said at the airport that he had come to Dharamshala to meet the Dalai Lama and both drove to the palace. Later, Dr Kalam left for Hamirpur where he is scheduled to attend convocation of the National Institute of Technology tomorrow.