APJ Abdul Kalam: A flaming torch that ignited young minds

Former Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam died in Shillong on Monday. That was about the same day, when India experienced a bout of terrorism in Punjab. Was it something of a coincidence? Kalam, the peace keeper was igniting minds about making earth a liveable place at a seminar, as per his last tweet; and a few thousand kilometres away, a society was disintegrating itself with a terror strike.

Kalam spoke the language of peace. But, his work as a scientist often contradicted his words. Why did he work on building missiles and play an instrumental role in Pokhran Test Range second time around, as part of India’s nuclear programme in 1998? His words on peace, that came much later, didn’t seem to resonate the spirit with this incident. However, this is where people didn’t read his intention as well as they saw his gestures.

He was someone who believed in self-defence. A country that was well-defended with latest technology didn’t have to fear anyone. Believing in peace was his innate faith, but that didn’t mean he would sit without preparing for any eventualities should the enemies strike at once.

His road to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, to don the chair of 11 th President of India between 2002 and 2007 was more or less apolitical. He had worked with various governments and had no enemies across partylines. A scientist to the core, Kalam was a people’s man through every second of his existence.

No sooner did the news of his death break on the internet, social networks went berserk. In the days where role models are few and clean images even fewer, Dr Kalam was someone who was not only rare to find, but also difficult to contain. His charisma and aura was a challenge to anybody who believed personal brand building was an exercise to be done by PR agencies.

His demeanour was spirited, honest and forthcoming. There has hardly been any other politician in the recent times who has been as popular and as interactive.

Kalam had a rare gift. He was untiring when it came to imparting his experience to anyone who cared to listen. His core audience was young minds. He loved being amidst them, administer them an oath of honesty and integrity, make them say they would never indulge in corruption and ensure tomorrow’s India was at least aware of the ill effects of corruption.

Majority of the students and persons who posted on social media soon after his death had only praises for him. While it is normal for people to sing praises about the dead, it is imperative to know Kalam was among those rare people who genuinely left a feeling of loss and void among people’s hearts. At 83, he was sprightly and focused.

An author of several books, Kalam was deeply obliging of people who wanted some moments with him. A picture here, a signed copy of a book there, a lecture someone else, a closely interactive meeting with someone who sought his time; Kalam hardly turned anyone down unless he was pressed for time.

Though NDA led by BJP put forth his name for the President, Kalam had no enemies in the then Opposition party of Congress at all. He was NDA's poster boy of sorts since he had just completed Pokhran II to bring laurels to the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Defence minister Geroge Fernandes was completely on his side and all the contributions he had to make, for India as a missile scientist. He was known as ‘Missile Man’ much against the soft person who lived inside him.

He checked into Rashtrapathi Bhavan, the abode of the President of India and opened doors of this magnificent structure to the public. People could visit him, meet him and talk to him with shortest of the formalities. He mainly responded to children with utmost keenness, even if they sent them a letter or a book, they were sure to get a response in return.

Monday when he died, almost every person on social media has a picture with him on some occasion or the other. Such was the reach of this man who never forgot his roots lie in that quaint village of Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu. A south Indian who rose to the highest office, just for doing his job with utmost passion is a story that legends are made of.

He died doing what he loved the best. Parting with his energy, his conviction, and commitment to integrity, and igniting minds with new ideas. He collapsed on the dais where he was delivering a lecture, and passed away probably at that instant, amidst keen young minds which were getting inspired to do something for the country.

Image: indiatimes