From one Mars fan to another

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">BANGALORE: As the Spirit began unravelling sensational stories of Mars igniting the scientific community across the world, millions of miles away in Bangalore the spirits were on a different plane when President APJ Abdul Kalam gave a special audience to the passionate Mars fan, Vikas Sarangadhara (13). <br /><br />Impressed by the boy’s knowledge about science and love for the red planet, Kalam promised Vikas that he would recommend his dreams and projects to ISRO chief Madhavan Nair for future guidance.<br /><br />The scene at Raj Bhavan on Thursday night was grand when Vikas, armed with a rose, proposal for a science club, greetings from his teachers and friends of Sishu Griha High School, waited with bated breath to meet the man whom he revered the most.<br /><br />Giving him company were his parents Dr P E S Kartha and Dr Sreekumari, both into social service. Noted peace activist V Balu, who met Kalam and presented his collection of books and collages, was witness to Vikas'' special appointment.<br /><br />"Hello Mars guy! You want to go to space," patting Vikas, Kalam took off in his inimitable style. After the pleasantries, the guru and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">sishya</span> sat down for a one-to-one dream talk.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br />Kalam asked Vikas to name his project as ''Space Club for the Young'' with membership only to those under 20 years. Vikas also showed Kalam a certificate he received from Nasa after he was selected for a special mission.<br /><br />Asking the boy to concentrate hard on his studies in the next couple of years, Kalam finally wrote in Vikas'' diary.<br /><br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Dear Vikas,</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Delighted to meet you. Keep up your dreams. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result into action.</span><br /><br />A hero’s welcome awaited Vikas on Friday morning, when Sishu Griha principal Sunanda Naganand sprang a surprise for her wonder ward. <br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section3"><div class="Normal"><br />Vikas was felicitated in the school with his classmates lifting him in joy. "We are all proud of him and we are sure he will become a role model for others," a beaming Naganand said.<br /><br />"It was an exciting day for me. Everybody was screaming and shouting. Before lunch break they distributed sweets. I am going to get a gift from my mates soon," Vikas told Times News Network.<br /><br />As the young Mars man waits for his gift from friends and response from ISRO, Vikas joins the Bangalore’s elite list of young achievers with Pankaj Advani, Mohd Muzakkir Sharieff and Audrey Maben already sitting pretty. </div> </div>