AIR’s scoop: This is your President speaking…

He's already revealed several sides to his personality but this will be by far the most unusual: President Abdul Kalam, statesman, scientist...

He’s already revealed several sides to his personality but this will be by far the most unusual: President Abdul Kalam, statesman, scientist, veena player, will now try his hand as a radio jockey.

Of course, he won’t be compering a programme of film music; instead, his programme on All India Radio will focus on children, an area of particular concern to him. Depending on the time available, the President will double up as radio jockey answering and taking questions from children all over the country.

Ever since he anchored a show on the occasion of Children’s Day last year, the President, it is learnt, has been keen on using the services of radio for the benefit of children. Incidentally, Kalam also appeared on a show on Doordarshan’s Bharati channel — on a special programme segment for children.

Story continues below this ad

While the exact details of the show, scheduled to go on air from August, are still to be worked out, officials said discussions were still on.

Official sources said the President’s many areas of interest will ensure the programme’s success.

In commercial terms, the programme will be a coup for All India Radio, which has had to battle stiff competition from the private channels mushrooming across the country. The President, it may be recalled, had invited children from across the country to his swearing-in.