(Hindustan Times) "I think this is a mass movement by the citizens for the citizens of India," Sujeet Shilamkar, president of PNM and IT professional, wrote in an email to HT. According to Shilamkar, Kalam is a "ray of hope". "In recent years, none of those who held this post have been able to devise constructive programmes of national and people welfare interests...He is the only man who deserves to the first citizen of our country," Shilamkar, 25, stated.
Online petitions and networking sites have been mobilising public opinion on various issues from the Jessica Lall case to reservations in educational institutions. With Kalam's tenure expiring in July 2007, the online petition aims to mobilise public support for an extension of his term. The idea is to the scientists and other fans of the President and put pressure on political parties to ensure Kalam continues as President.
You can visit the forum over here. Although it has less than 150 members, using Orkut to promote thyself may not be a bad idea after all, since many American politicians did something similar on other social networks.
Update (2/14): It seems as if my assumptions of Indian politics were fairly off (as I assumed it was similar to the way America operates).
Rupesh notes that this forum is being run by President Kalam's followers, and not Kalam himself, while Ambarish has informed me that India does not elect its President. Thanks!
Update (2/24): Corrected spelling mistakes of Kalam. Thanks again Rupesh!
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