NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Breaking with tradition and setting off speculation, President A P J Abdul Kalam has postponed the recording of his first Independence Day speech until after he completes his tour of Gujarat tomorrow.
According to Doordarshan sources, the President traditionally records his address to the nation -- which is broadcast on the evening of August 14 -- "at least 48 hours" in advance, usually on August 12. However, when Kalam's office was approached for the recording -- Doordarshan wanted to record his speech on Sunday or "latest by Monday" -- the President's office asked Doordarshan officials to wait till until after he concludes his tour of Gujarat.
Kalam will return to the capital on Tuesday afternoon. The President is being accompanied by his secretary, P Madhavan Nair, his friend Y S Rajan and a team of senior officials.
According to Doordarshan sources, the speech will now be recorded on Tuesday evening or on Wednesday morning.
The recording is an elaborate exercise conducted by a special Doordarshan team at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Immediately after the recording, the recording is shown to the President and any amendment suggested by him is incorporated into the address.
On at least one occasion President K R Narayanan, Kalam's predecessor, recalled the Doordarshan team a few hours before the telecast, to make changes to his recorded speech. Narayanan used to research his speech for several days; Gopal Gandhi, the then President's secretary, provided inputs for the address as well.
It is not clear how the new President is drafting his speech. He is known to key in notes into his laptop.
Kalam has met with several people after he took office. His speech could stress on children, development of the nation and education. However, with the President postponing the recording of his speech, it is possible he may incorporate some reference to the situation in Gujarat into the address. It is also possible that the speech is an orthodox Presidential address, with no controversial remarks.
Either way, his visit to Gujarat is a tricky one for the President. If he is critical of the state government, then the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies could turn against him. If he keeps his counsel on the Narendra Modi government, the Opposition could begin an uneasy relationship with the President.
It has already been an uncomfortable beginning, vis-à-vis the central government, for the new occupant of Rashtrapati Bhavan. His banquet for the council of ministers last weekend was poorly attended; only 40 of about 100 invitees turned up.
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
