Forever Kalam
The ‘Kalam’ obit I wrote a couple of years ago when he left a nation orphaned; orphaned of thought, orphaned of vision, and orphaned of dreams..
Can we accord him something like a "Lifetime President" or something?
Not that it'd impress him, for he always was the simplest soul around.
#SalaamKalam

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
“Can a teacher be a super hero, a cult persona and humane at the same time? Dr. APJ was all embodied into one.
Who would've thought that a small boy from Rameshwaram would go on to adorn the highest echelons of public life in our country. A boy who'd help the local newspaperwalla collect papers that were thrown out from running trains (trains wouldn't stop at Rameshwaram back then), the son of a boatsman who'd take India to the pantheon of nations having the most advanced defence technologies.
He'd be interested in the English literature, Physics and Aerospace engineering at the same time and finding time to learn the Veena. He'd write poems, speak for hours on the cusp of opportunity that our generation is on, write engaging books to inspire us all and yet laugh it out with the kids.
One who made the Rashtrapathi bhavan a pitstop for the aam aadmi, he'd regale everyone who'd ever visit it. He'd endeared himself to all of us. Some of us still remember him as the incumbent 'President of India' a la 'President for life'..
A man who raised the bar of public life always and
one who'd dream, dream and live his dream of inspiring, empowering and enriching generations.
Stories of his personality are now a part of the folklore..
He stood by the proverb 'Vidya dadathi vinayam' (Education gives humility) all through his life.
Honestly, I never thought that we'd ever have to pay homage to him, for I always have thought him to be the Superman, omnipresent to save us all and be the guiding light for generations to come..

When was the last time a nation cried for a hero? All I can remember is LKY from Singapore in the recent past.
Kalam’s was a personality that knew nothing except joy, happiness, sharing, dreaming and living the dreams.
Developmental politics. Vision 2020. Inclusive development. India. Education. Teacher. ISRO. DRDO. Any topic you choose, he stood there taking guard on behalf of the nation..
Dr. Kalam, you'd speak of working till the very last breath and of goodbye's being as short as possible; but not yours. We wanted you to live forever and ever. We never thought that you too are mortal..
He'd be forever etched in the echelons of modern India as a character par excellence.
I've never seen Gandhi. Never a Nehru. Never an Indira. I saw Kalam..

Salaam Kalam sir.
#RIPKalam
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