'People's President' charms audience in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: President APJ Abdul Kalam on Friday took the audience at a function here by surprise when he began his speech in the local language Telugu.

Participating in the centenary celebration of the Vivek Vardhini Education Society (VVES), Kalam welcomed the gathering in by saying, "Yendaro mahanbhavulu, andariki vandanamulu (salutation to one and all)."

The greeting evoked cheers from the audience comprising students and teachers of the institution.

Kalam, whose term would end by July-end, also administered a seven-point pledge to the students.

When he began administering the fifth point, Kalam asked the entire audience to join in, saying the "grown-up people can also take the oath".

The fifth point was: "I will lead an honest life free from all corruption and will set an example for others, including my family members, to adopt a righteous way of life."

At the end of this point, there was loud applause from the audience.