Kalam arrives on Facebook with 'billion beats' page

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam has become the latest personality to make foray into social networking site, Facebook, where he will share his thoughts on issues concerning the country's development and his interaction with various sections of people.

81-year-old Kalam, who is already on video sharing website YouTube, will be a regular on Facebook and make his observations about making India a developed nation before 2020.

Called the 'Billion Beats', Kalam's Facebook page is an extension of his e-paper initiative which he started immediately after he demitted office of President of India in July 2007.

"On his Facebook page, Dr Kalam will share unique moments, his interaction with the unique people and achievers, share the success stories and celebrate the success of fellow Indians who contribute to the development of the nation," V Ponraj, Advisor to Kalam and Editor of Billion Beats e-paper, said.

The former President would share his thoughts and about his meetings on www.facebook.com/kalambillionbeats every day.

"He will start writing every day on the page and will also encourage the youth who have unique innovative ideas, discuss his visits to various R&D organisations and institutions towards realising the goal of developed India before 2020," Ponraj said.

In his first post yesterday, Kalam wrote about his meeting with Madam Madeleine de Blic of Volontariat in Puducherry on July 8.

"Madeleine has saved thousands of lives in the last five decades. When I met her, I saw in her the service spirit of Mother Teresa and the compassion of Florence Nightingale. The people lovingly call her 'Amma! Madaleine Amma!', and these words of kindness radiate everywhere," he wrote.