Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s enduring legacy is marked by his profound knowledge and compassion. Several real-life accounts attest to the enduring inspiration he provided:
- Ensuring VIP Treatment for Indian Scientists in Paris On the return journey from overseeing the testing of the INSAT-4B communications satellite in French Guiana, ISRO scientists were pleasantly surprised at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Dr. Kalam had orchestrated VIP treatment for them, even granting access to the airline’s VIP Lounge. His foresight and support were evident, as he anticipated the needs of these scientists.
- Fulfilling a Promise to an Overworked Team Member During a demanding project, one scientist requested permission from Dr. Kalam to leave early to fulfill a promise to take his children to an exhibition. Dr. Kalam not only granted permission but also personally took the scientist’s children to the exhibition when he realized the scientist couldn’t leave on time, ensuring the commitment was upheld.
- Sharing His Meal with an Indian Student At the International Space Development Conference (ISDC) in San Diego, California, in 2013, Dr. Kalam invited Indian students to his dining table. Even as he was having dinner, he asked a student to share his meal, offering a leaf of spinach from his salad. This act of kindness left a lasting impression on the student.
- Prioritizing Bird Safety in Construction Projects During a construction project with DRDO, Dr. Kalam rejected the idea of using broken glass on walls for security. He emphasized that this measure would harm birds and urged the team to find an alternative solution, highlighting his consideration for all living creatures.
- Acknowledging a Young Fan’s Sketch A young Class 6 student created a sketch of Dr. Kalam after reading his book, “Wings Of Fire,” and sent it to him. Dr. Kalam responded with a thank-you note, a gesture that deeply touched the young artist.
- Recognizing Talent in Unexpected Places During a presentation by IIM, Indore students, Dr. Kalam identified a talented individual responsible for the presentation’s formatting and animation. He offered the student an internship, providing an opportunity to work on presentations for the UNO.
- Inviting Humble Guests to a Presidential Event Upon becoming President, Dr. Kalam invited a roadside cobbler and the owner of a small hotel to an event at Kerala Raj Bhavan. These were individuals he had known during his time in Trivandrum, underscoring his humility.
- Rejecting Special Treatment At a convocation ceremony at IIT, Varanasi, Dr. Kalam noticed that his chair was larger than the others. He declined to sit in it and instead requested the vice-chancellor to take the seat. Another chair of the same size was provided for Dr. Kalam, emphasizing his commitment to fairness.
- Seeking Solutions for Global Issues Dr. Kalam engaged with people on Yahoo, including prominent figures like Leander Paes, Kiran Bedi, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, to discuss combating global terrorism, demonstrating his open and inclusive approach.
- Adapting to Challenges When a power outage disrupted a lecture he was about to deliver at a small school, Dr. Kalam displayed resilience by addressing the audience without hesitation, using his powerful voice to inspire those present.
