Being an
ardent fan of writer Sujatha, I got to know that Dr Abdul Kalam and he were
college mates in St Joseph’s college, Trichy and Madras Institute of
Technology, Chromepet. At the latter named institute, the former pursued
Aeronautical Engineering while the latter chose to master in Electronics. They also secured first and second positions
respectively for their projects. Their association was to continue well into
their twilight years. President Kalam , ever the student-centric teacher at
heart that he was, wanted to write a
book for children simplifying science and technology . He requested Sujatha, a
scientist himself and popular writer
with mass readership, to co author the same. Sujatha is supposed to have
remarked, “I’m ready anytime you are, Sir”. Had
that collaboration come through, it would’ve been a best seller
translated into every language under the
sun!
There never
was one before or after, who re defined the Presidency as he did. Here was a
President who stuck to his oily hairstyle making quite many stylists tear their hair in despair. If his thick grey
locks shaped like inverted commas framing the forehead were not shocking
enough, the disarming disregard for protocol surely was. He was far too
distinguished (already a Bharat Ratna) , even before he became President a good
five years later, which can’t be said about some of his predecessors or his
successor. Every other First Citizen of the nation has maintained a distance
from the common man he/she represents while Kalam reached out to them through
the world wide web. A student had casually written to him , inviting him to his
college. Prompt came the reply from the President’s office that His Excellency
would consider the request anytime he visited the student’s town. Imagine the
lad’s surprise a few months later when he actually received a call from Raisina
Hill asking whether such and such a date would be fine for the college for his
proposed visit! Sweet dreams are made of these…who am I to disagree…
Time was
when skeletons were tumbling down the closets of several politicians,
industrialists, bureaucrats, film stars, sports stars, spiritual gurus even. A
thoroughly disillusioned 20 something of a PYT would tell me, “Aunty, the day I
hear of a scam involving Abdul Kalam, I swear I’ll give up all hope on
humanity!” Personal and professional integrity, simplicity, humility as
character traits and eminence in the hallowed field of space science and defence
technology made him an awe- inspiring icon way more than any rock star or movie
star ever could.
How able was
he as a President? I’ve heard of controversial decisions like declaring
President’s rule in Bihar, sitting on mercy petitions indecisively and such.
The jury is still out on those. What can you say when given a choice, he would rather teach than receive dignitaries, confer awards or administer oaths?
He once
wished to become a pilot in Indian Airforce. He didn’t quite make it and went
on to become a scientist. Decades later by virtue of being the President, he
would become the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces combining not just the
air force, but army and navy as well. Yet he didn’t get to be the
fighter pilot he originally wished
to be, you say….
Well he did,
almost half a century later in 2006 when he flew as a co-pilot in a Sukhoi-30
from Pune’s Lohegaon Air Force Base. These are tales one loves to tell one’s
children and grand children to ignite their minds to sour on wings of fire…Thank
You Sir, for being the teacher who taught by example. Thank You Sir, for giving
us pride! Thank You Sir, for giving us hope!
