Neither president nor scientist, APJ Abdul Kalam wanted to be remembered as a ‘teacher’

India’s 11th President, Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam, who died on Monday at the age of 83, addressing students at IIM Shillong, wanted to be remembered as “teacher”.

Kalam’s adviser Srijan Pal Singh was on the same stage with him in Shillong when he collapsed and was taken to hospital where he later died.

The IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, Singh, paid tribute to the ‘Missile Man’ on Tuesday. He has also co-authored two books with the former President.

He posted on Facebook: Once Kalam asked me, “You are young, decide what will like to be remembered for?”

Singh kept on thinking for impressive answers and then one fine day he counter-questioned him. He asked Kalam: “First you tell me, what you would like to be remembered for? President, Scientist, Writer, Missile Man, India 2020, Target 3 billion…What?”

Kalam replied: “Teacher”.

In his touching post on Facebook, Singh said two weeks back they had a long discussion about his missile days. He was worried about the way children behave with their parents. The former President said: “Children need to take care of their parents. It is sad that sometimes this is not happening.”
Singh quoted Kalam as advising parents: “Two things. Elders must also do. Never leave wealth at your deathbed – that leaves a fighting family. Second, one is blessed is one can die working, standing tall without any long drawn ailing. Goodbyes should be short, really short.”

He said in his post: “Today, I look back – he took the final journey, teaching, what he always wanted to be remembered doing. And, till his final moment he was standing, working and lecturing.”

“He left us, as a great teacher, standing tall. He leaves the world with nothing accumulated in his account but loads of wishes and love of people. He was a successful, even in his end,” he added.

“Will miss all the times you surprised me with your humility and startled me with your curiosity, will miss the lessons of life you taught in action and words, will miss our struggles to race to make into flights, our trips, our long debates…The man is gone, the mission lives on. Long live Kalam,” he concluded.

Kalam was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1997, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and the Padma Bhushan in 1981.

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(Image: Indiatimes)