Dr. V.I. Lakshmanan was the handler in Toronto for Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who was president of India from 2002-07.

After spending four days with him, April 16-19, he be -lieves Kalam is a reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi -- gentle, humble and an intellectual who reaches out to people.

I'm not sure that Kalam is another Gandhi walking on this earth, but he's undoubtedly a unique person.

He's an intellec tual with a storehouse of knowledge and a specialist on space technology, nuclear technology, most branches of science (including their applications), economics and international politics.

He's a Sanskrit scholar with a deep understanding of Hindu scriptures and can discuss most religious thoughts and issues concerning families and children.

While he was in Toronto I had a chance to interview him briefly.

He addressed the topic "India Vision: Dynamics of Development" at the Canada India Foundation's (CIF) Chanchlani Global India award dinner on April 18 at a Toronto hotel, where 500 guests were present, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

An award of $50,000 and a trophy were presented to Dr. Sam Pitroda, chairman of India's National Knowledge Commission and holder of 100 international patents for his many inventions -- all in the IT field.

The CIF, a newly formed advocacy group, asked Kalam to be the chief guest and keynote speaker at the Chanchlani award dinner.

Kalam told the foundation they should "take up the unique mission of empowering the Canadian and Indian youth below 25 years, to empower them with a value system based on the civilization heritage of our nations, and to become enlightened citizens."

He believes that "the ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on earth, above the earth and under the earth."

I heard him make a keynote address on technology in development of civil society at the University of Toronto.

"Space application has become a part of our daily life," he said. "India has today a constellation of six remote sensing and eleven communication satellites serving applications like a natural resource survey, communication, disaster management support." He also noted the satellites' role in tele-education and tele-medicine.

Kalam can change gears with ease. Invited to the hand-crafted Swminarayan Temple in Etobicoke, which has, since its opening last year, become a mecca for tourists, he lectured a large Hindu congregation on science and spirituality.

In answer to my question, Kalam unhesitatingly tackled the controversial issue of stem cell research.

He said there could be various sources of stem cells, including embryos, umbilical cords and the skin itself.

Many people deem the use of stem cells from embryos as the utilization of living organisms. But stem cells for research purposes could come from the umbilical cord. That research is now being done in India.

"There are many roots to stem cell research. One of the roots is embryo, (another) is the umbilical cord and the latest root is through the skin itself," said Kalam. "The question is what root?"

The former Indian president landed in familiar surroundings when he accepted an invitation from the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, where he spoke about the empowerment of youth.

"They should be educated to become conscious about societal responsibilities and to be a promoter of peace and prosperity of the nation of which they are a part."

Kalam wouldn't leave without calling on Premier Dalton McGuinty.

During an interview with McGuinty at his Queen's Park office, I noted Kalam's emphasis on how parents and primary school teachers have a responsibility to guide young people along the right path.

As the father of four young children, McGuinty believes "you must always love them and never stop talking to them. It is important to me that lines of communications should stay open to understand what they are going through, make an effort to understand what they are saying."

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