Karnataka to invite Kalam to settle in Bangalore

Karnataka Government is planning to invite outgoing President A P J Abdul Kalam to settle down in Bangalore, which is home to a host of premier scientific research institutions, after he demits office.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and Home Minister M P Prakash disclosed this to reporters at the high tea hosted by Governor T N Chaturvedi at Raj Bhavan in Bangalore to mark the centenary year of Karnataka’s Legislative Council.

The State Government, which was planning to hold a function in Bangalore shortly to felicitate Kalam, had already extended an invitation to the eminent scientist. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will extend a formal invitation to Kalam on the occasion, Yediyurappa said.

Prakash said the State Government will be pleased to make all arrangements for Kalam’s stay in Bangalore.

Kalam already owns a flat at Kendriya Vihar at Yelahanka on the outskirts of Bangalore, which is home to many prestigious research institutions like Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

If Kalam accepts the Karnataka Government’s invitation, he would become the third former President of India to settle down in Bangalore as a State guest after V V Giri and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy.