Friday, February 11 2005 10:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam yesterday (Feb 10, 2005) made his first public appearance since suffering shoulder bone fracture five days ago and attended a music festival at New Delhi.

Kalam attended the Laxmi Narain Global Music Festival organised by renowned violinist Dr L Subramaniam.

Speaking at the fusion of music of India and Norway, the President greeted the artistes and orchestras of both countries in their mission of promoting global peace through music.

Observing that fusion of music unites hearts and minds of people, Kalam said, "What we need today is fusion of six billion people on this planet earth and music can play an important role in this fusion."

Noting that music is an important component for human being, he quoted famous Sufi poet Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, whose couplet said, "An angel is free because of its knowledge. Beast is free because of ignorance but man is struggling between knowledge and ignorance and music can play an important role in making a balance."

Kalam slipped during a walk inside Rashtrapati Bhawan and sustained a fracture on his right shoulder on Sunday last (Feb 6, 2005). He underwent treatment at the Army hospital before returning home on Tuesday (Feb 8, 2005).