New Delhi: It was a special tribute of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to the Defence personnel with the Scientist-President A P J Abdul Kalam paying his accolades to the guardians of the country through a poem unveiled in New Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day today (Aug 15, 2004).

The poem titled 'My dear soldiers' penned by the President has been published in the August edition of an international monthly journal 'Poet' whose copies were distributed by Kalam while paying tributes to martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate here.

Recipients of the copies were Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of State for Defence B K Handique, Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh and Chiefs of three Services.

'O defenders of borders, you are great sons of my land. When we are all asleep, you still hold on to your deed... Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feet. We pray for you brave men. May the Lord bless you all," says Kalam in his special message to the Defence personnel.

The poem was originally written by Kalam on June 18 when he met a group of children from National Educational Societies High School of Bhandhup West in Maharashtra who called on him on their way to Wagah on Indo-Pak border.

In the form of the poem, the President intended to send out a message to the soldiers through the students who were on a mission to ignite patriotism among young minds on their way to the border.

The 'Poet', published from Chennai, is a journal having collection of poetries on various themes of national interest.