Thrissur: As a poet she is hardly known outside her home. But middle-aged Savithri of Pullazhy is overwhelmed for she has received a commendation from none less than President A P J Abdul Kalam himself.

Savithri wrote a poem in praise of the president on his assumption of office in July wishing him success and strength to lead the nation "for our victory through truth and non-violence".

Appreciating Savithri's sentiments the first citizen of the country wrote back to her, "May I thank you for your kind sentiments and good wishes expressed on my assumption of office".

"I was moved when I heard over radio about Kalam's taking over as President. I jotted a few lines in English immediately. Later, I thought I should let the President know how a humble woman like me felt when a great son of the country became the President," a veritably overjoyed Savithri said.

In her 23-line poem titled 'Through You', Savithri said,

"The dreaming words from,
Great India, We are with you
Ways are with thorny bushes
Thanks to God and our Kalam
Lead us to fight for our victory
Through trust and non-violence".

A mathematics graduate with a diploma in journalism, Savithri said, "For me poetry is a medium to express my sentiments and I don't bother much to get them published."

PTI