For better or worse...

"Why are wives like that?" The question was posed by bachelor and President APJ Abdul Kalam on Friday. He was telling a story about the architect of Rashtrapati Bhawan, Sir Edwin Lutyens, during a function to receive the first copy of a pictorial book on the structure.

"Do you know to whom did the architect of the Bhavan write letters daily about the progress made in the construction of the Rashtrapati Bhavan," said the President to the audience at the function. "To his wife," said a member of the audience.

Kalam said, "Everyday he (Lutyens) used to write a letter to his wife, about the foundation, what type of architecture was utilised in the design...But that lady (Lutyens' wife), fantastic lady, did not write even one letter. Not even one. I don't know why wives are like that," Kalam said amidst peels of laughter.