Deeply distressed by the disruptions in the Parliament, former President of India, late APJ Abdul Kalam, had plans to come up with ways to make Parliament sessions productive.
Dr. Kalam, popularly known as the People’s President, had planned a surprise test for his students at
“Our second discussion was more national. For the past two days, Dr. Kalam was worried that time and again Parliament, the supreme institution of democracy, was dysfunctional. He said, "I have seen two different governments in my tenure. I have seen more after that. This disruption just keeps happening. It is not right. I really need to find out a way to ensure that the parliament works on developmental politics." He then asked me to prepare a surprise assignment question for the students at IIM Shillong, which he would give them only at the end of the lecture. He wanted them to suggest three innovative ways to make Parliament more productive and vibrant,” remembered his close aide,
But, being the empathic teacher that he is, after a while Dr. Kalam went back to the topic and said, “But how can I ask them to give solutions if I don't have any myself.”
But this was not the only topic that was discussed between them while they were on their way to IIM Shillong on Monday. Former President Kalam was also deeply disturbed by the terror attacks in Gurdaspur in Punjab. Interestingly, he was to deliver a lecture on how to create a livable planet at the said venue.
“…The loss of innocent lives left him filled with sorrow. The topic of lecture at IIM Shillong was Creating a Livable Planet Earth. He (Dr. Kalam) related the incident to the topic and said, “it seems the manmade forces are as big a threat to the livability of earth as pollution". We discussed on how, if this trend of violence, pollution and reckless human action continues we will forced to leave earth. "Thirty years, at this rate, maybe", he said. "You guys must do something about it... it is going to be your future world,” recalled Singh in his post.
But this wasn’t all. Dr Kalam, who is remembered for his humility and kindness towards others, irrespective of their position in the society, displayed yet another example of his love.
While travelling in a convoy of six cars, as a protocol, a security personnel in the car ahead of the dignitary’s vehicle, is supposed to stand. Late Dr. Kalam too had a similar convoy but what he did next for his security personnel is truly touching. Dr. Kalam noticed that one of his security personnel had been standing since the beginning of their journey from the airport to the venue. Worried that the personnel will be exhausted, Dr. Kalam asked his aide to make radio communications to the car ahead of them to signal the personnel to sit down. Unfortunately, this couldn’t happen. So, later when he reached the venue, he asked Singh to call the personnel in order to personally apologize for making him stand so long.
“…One hour into the road journey, Dr. Kalam said, "Why is he standing? He will get tired. This is like punishment. Can you ask a wireless message to be given that he may sit?" I had to convince him, he has been probably instructed to keep standing for better security. He did not relent. We tried radio messaging that did not work. For the next 1.5 hours of the journey, he reminded me thrice to see if I can hand signal him to sit down. Finally, realizing there is little we can do - he told me, "I want to meet him and thank him". Later, when we landed in IIM Shillong, I went inquiring through security people and got hold of the standing guy. I took him inside and Dr. Kalam greeted him. He shook his hand, said thank you buddy. "Are you tired? Would you like something to eat? I am sorry you had to stand so long because of me,” said Singh.
Touched by his gesture, the personnel just uttered, “Sir, aapke liye to 6 ghante bhi khade rahenge (Sir, we can stand for another six hours for you).”
In his post, Singh recollects that Dr. Kalam’s last words for him were, “Funny guy! Are you doing well?” Two minutes into the lecture, Dr. Kalam collapsed and later passed away, leaving behind his legacy for generations to come.
We at Business Insider have created this unique platform for anyone who wants to pay homage to this the beloved Former President, APJ Abdul Kalam- the great leader, teacher, scientist and amongst many other things a visionary par excellence, even as he embarks upon his last journey: http://www.businessinsider.in/social/48249034.cms
Image Credit: Official Twitter account of Indiatimes.com