Two days ago, India lost an eminent scientist in APJ Abdul Kalam, our âMissile Manâ
wo days ago, India lost an eminent scientist in APJ Abdul Kalam, our 'Missile Man'. A devout Muslim by birth, he knew the whole Hindu holy book Bhagawat Geeta by heart and died on a Hindu festival and at a hospital run by Christian missionaries: truly a great coincidence.
Then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee invited Kalam to become our 11th president. Every Indian respects him highly, as do all political parties, and he was elected unopposed. I heard all his presidential speeches on the eve of Indian Republic Day read out to us at our Jakarta embassy.
They were simple, original and touched many vital points that are generally ignored in the uniform secretary-written stuff that till then we had been subjected to. After his term ended, we were again subjected to the same stuffy stuff.
He was a bachelor, totally down-to-earth with no vanity. He was fondly called the 'people's president'.
He was morally so noble, honest and uncorrupt that he personally covered the expenses incurred when his family members visited and stayed with him in Rashtrapati Bhavan, his official residence.
Instead of hosting Iftar parties during the fasting month, he donated the money that would have been spent on them to orphanages, adding a hefty donation from his personal account.
All Indians are paying highest tribute to Kalam, and praying to God that his soul rests in peace.
K.B. Kale
California
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