APJ Abdul Kalam - An icon of versatility

I was born a common man and am happy to be going back among common men," Kalam said when asked about his feelings on the eve of his departure from the grand quarters of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In the same vein, he denied that he had ever wanted to "contest" for a second term, stressing that he had always been in favour of "consensus."

Asked what he would miss most when he leaves Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kalam promptly said "the gardens.. but I won't really miss it since I can feel it if I close my eyes, wherever I am."