 As the presidential motorcade drove into the GIIS campus, there was a loud cheer among the entire GIIS students. It was a dream come true for many to see and hear Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, President of India, when he visited GIIS to address the students.
 On entering the campus, the President garlanded the bust of Mahatma Gandhi and a brief introduction to the members of Governing Board and Executive Committee followed.
Children wearing tricolor jackets and traditional Indian costumes lined his route to the auditorium, providing an informal, colorful and cheerful guard of honor. Dr. Kalam was greeted by an enthusiastic and full-throated chanting of “Jai Hind” and “Jai Jagat” by the students.
The President, throwing protocol to the winds, paused to shake hands and interact with them, enquiring their names and their ambitions. Occasionally, he even playfully raised his hand for the smaller ones to jump up and catch in order to get a hold.
The sunny radiance of the young faces lit with the pride and happiness of meeting and shaking hands with Dr. Abdul Kalam outshone the bright sunshine that spread across the quadrangle.
 A standing ovation awaited his arrival at the auditorium. A solemn rendition of the Indian National Anthem marked the beginning of the Presidential address. A brief welcome address was given by the School’s Chairman Mr. Atul Temurnikar.
The President, in his speech mentioned the contributions made by Sir C.V. Raman to the scientific world and Indian community. Spicing his speech with inspirational anecdotes from the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Sheik Abdul Kader al-Gilani, he impressed upon the students the need to be truthful and courageous.
In his characteristic fashion, he made the children in the audience take an oath to display courage and also to work hard towards achieving success in scientific discoveries. Quoting the example of a 13 year-old girl and her visualization of earthy civilization in 3000AD, Dr. Kalam felt that the children in the audience were equally powerful in visualizing and thinking the unusual.
 Following the brief speech was an interactive session with the students wherein he fielded questions from precocious students. The session covered a wide range of topics from the contribution of Indian Diaspora to India and to the world, to providing tips on personal development. The President persuaded the students to develop reading habits and as a gesture, presented a set of books to the school library. The Principal Mr.V. Nandakumar received the books on behalf of the school.
 Every student of Std 1 and above got a chance to see Dr Kalam in person or on large LCD screens. The school setup special videoconferencing system between the primary school and the auditorium which enabled all the primary school students to watch the entire proceedings on large LCD screens, absolutely LIVE. Also, when Dr Kalam asked 2 students from Primary to ask questions, the live video conferencing system brought their questions live to the audience and they watched the responses from Dr Kalam as well.
The President had selected about 25 questions to be answered, from over 400 questions which were sent by GIIS students directly to his email address. Due to shortage of time, around 14 questions got answered and the president even accommodated 2 adhoc questions.
A brief cultural performance followed, showcasing Asia’s cultural heritage featuring Chinese, Malay and Indian Classical dances.
 In appreciation of the rich and colorful memories of the school children, Dr. Kalam surprised the students when he asked the protocol people to arrange for him to take a group photo with students on stage.
With other engagements in a row, Dr Abdul Kalam left the left in the same grandeur as he had driven in. On the way back, he told the Chairman Mr. Atul Temurnikar that he said that this was a wonderful school with brilliant children and he was very impressed.
While parting, he said, “At least 10% students should be those whose parents cannot afford the pay the fees. For such students, the school and community must do something and help them study in this school.” Chairman confirmed that the school and community would certainly work on this suggestion.
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