For, barring the scholarly Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the occupants of Rashtrapati Bhavan [Images] have invariably been from the political class, anointed President solely on account of this factor and as a sinecure at the end of a long political career.

Which is also the reason that President Kalam is not getting a second term -- he doesn't belong to the political class.

Which is, also, the reason why the people of India are so enamoured of him. In their eyes he is not sullied by the world of politics.

As the People's President gets set to vacate Rashtrapati Bhavan for his successor, who will move in on July 25, congratulate him for the past five years when he, as President, reached out to people all over the country, instilling in them hope for a better India, and changing the Presidency as we know it forever.