New Delhi: He sermoned at Gaya, meditated at Sabarmati Ashram, paid obeisance at Vaishno Devi and offered prayers at Hazrat-bal Shrine.

This is President A P J Abdul Kalam, who is all set to finish his "Bharat Darshan" in August. He has already visited 23 states and would complete the country's tour with his scheduled visit to Uttar Pradesh and a few other states next month.

"And this is a record, no other President has visited the whole of country in just one year," Rashtrapati Bhavan officials say.

President Kalam, who completes his one year in office on July 24 had said he would go on a foreign visit only after touring the whole of India. True to his word, officials say the President has not visited any foreign country as yet.

However, visits to Russia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sudan are being planned though no dates have been finalised as yet, they say.

"President Kalam took over on July 24 last year and started his visits to the states with Gujarat in August last year. He met the riot victims and the quake-affected. Then he went to North East - areas which have been deprived of development," the officials say.

In fact, he is the first President to visit Line of Control (LoC) and address the troops at Uri.

All his visits have one thing in common - they all stressed on development and his Vision 2020 for India. He meets the local political leaders and legislators and stresses on the need of developing those regions.

Also, he tries to visit as many religious places as possible and meet their heads to stress on the need for tolerance.

He has also met all the MPs in last one year. "The President got panels and banners made and with the help of those he explained to the MPs, the core competencies of various states, various development monitors, what he expected of them and how to take the country on the path of development."

"The President has started taking these banners to the states he is visiting where he gives these 'lessons' to legislators," his close aides say, noting the President stresses on rural areas, connectivity, urban support in rural areas and networking of rivers.

"Kalam has given a whole new meaning to the seat of President that how by remaining within the Constitutional limits, a President can contribute to the society, act as a role model and inspire crores of countrymen," they say.

PTI