RISING SUN
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Simplicity was his middle name
A walk through some of the instances where the simplicity of the President-scientist shone throug.
During an event, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who was then President, refused to sit on a chair that was designated for him - because the chair was larger than the other chairs.
This was one of the several instances where Kalam’s actions became synonymous with simplicity and humility, the hallmark of his life - both as one of India’s top scientists and as a much-loved President.
At a convocation of IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Kalam was the chief guest and there were five chairs on the stage, the centre one being for the President. The other four were for university officials.
Noticing his chair being larger than the others’, Kalam refused to sit on it and offered it the vice-chancellor to sit instead, according to a published account. The VC couldn’t take it, and another chair was made available to the “People’s President” immediately.
On another occasion, Kalam is said to have rejected the suggestion to use broken glasses on the wall of a building that needed protection, because it would be harmful to birds.
This happened when Kalam was with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and his team was discussing options to secure the perimeter of a building that needed protection. Kalam reportedly said: “If we do that, birds will not be able to perch on the wall.”
When youngsters sought a meeting with him, Kalam, who always wore a genial smile, obliged them, and listened carefully to their ideas.
Soon after it was declared that Kalam would be President in 2002, he visited a school to deliver a speech. His security detail was minimal, and he also took control of the situation when there was power faIlure.
Speaking to around 400 students, Kalam ensured that the power failure did not affect the programme.
He walked right to the centre of the crowd and asked the students to surround him. He then delivered an inspiring speech.
When a subordinate of Kalam at DRDO couldn’t take his children to an exhibition due to work pressure, he surprised his subordinate and took the children hImself, according to another published account.
And, who did Kalam invite as “Presidential guests” to Kerala’s Raj Bhavan during his first visit to the State after becoming President? A cobbler and an owner of a small hotel.
As the President, Kalam was entitled to invite anyone to the Raj Bhavan during his first visit to Thiruvananthapuram. The cobbler had known Kalam since his scientist days in Kerala; and the owner ran the hotel where Kalam would often have his meals.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/simplicity-was-his-middle-name/article19842031.ece
A walk through some of the instances where the simplicity of the President-scientist shone throug.
During an event, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who was then President, refused to sit on a chair that was designated for him - because the chair was larger than the other chairs.
This was one of the several instances where Kalam’s actions became synonymous with simplicity and humility, the hallmark of his life - both as one of India’s top scientists and as a much-loved President.
At a convocation of IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Kalam was the chief guest and there were five chairs on the stage, the centre one being for the President. The other four were for university officials.
Noticing his chair being larger than the others’, Kalam refused to sit on it and offered it the vice-chancellor to sit instead, according to a published account. The VC couldn’t take it, and another chair was made available to the “People’s President” immediately.
On another occasion, Kalam is said to have rejected the suggestion to use broken glasses on the wall of a building that needed protection, because it would be harmful to birds.
This happened when Kalam was with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and his team was discussing options to secure the perimeter of a building that needed protection. Kalam reportedly said: “If we do that, birds will not be able to perch on the wall.”
When youngsters sought a meeting with him, Kalam, who always wore a genial smile, obliged them, and listened carefully to their ideas.
Soon after it was declared that Kalam would be President in 2002, he visited a school to deliver a speech. His security detail was minimal, and he also took control of the situation when there was power faIlure.
Speaking to around 400 students, Kalam ensured that the power failure did not affect the programme.
He walked right to the centre of the crowd and asked the students to surround him. He then delivered an inspiring speech.
When a subordinate of Kalam at DRDO couldn’t take his children to an exhibition due to work pressure, he surprised his subordinate and took the children hImself, according to another published account.
And, who did Kalam invite as “Presidential guests” to Kerala’s Raj Bhavan during his first visit to the State after becoming President? A cobbler and an owner of a small hotel.
As the President, Kalam was entitled to invite anyone to the Raj Bhavan during his first visit to Thiruvananthapuram. The cobbler had known Kalam since his scientist days in Kerala; and the owner ran the hotel where Kalam would often have his meals.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/simplicity-was-his-middle-name/article19842031.ece
