The Last Travel of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to Shillong

It has been exactly five years on this day July 27, The Missile Man of India left all of us. Even though he had been known for several professions right from President of India, Scientist, Writer, and teacher, he was proud to be a teacher always. The Last travel of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam is undoubtedly for the welfare of this planet and he had gone to meet students of IIM Shillong for one last time. In this article, just wanted to tell a few things that happened during his last travel as narrated by Mr. Srijan Pal Singh (Companion of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam), and no doubt Dr.Kalam is a Hero for every Indian child.

Dr. Abdul Kalam’s last travel was to IIM Shillong for a lecture on Creating a Liveable Planet Earth. The man, who once said in the European Union Parliament the following quote

Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir

-Kaniyan Pungundranar

lived his last moment according to the quote for the welfare of the entire human community and planet. The above quote means “To us, all towns are one, all men our kin”.

His last flight travel to Guwahati was almost 2.5 hours with Mr.Srijan Pal Singh sitting next to him. Srijan Pal Singh had fear of turbulence and Kalam being a master in Aerospace, had mastered the turbulence as well. Dr.Kalam just brought down the window pane down and said Mr.Srijan, now you will not see any fear. “A small act just like consoling a Kid”.

Kalam’s Quality of Humanity and Humility on his last Travel

Dr.Kalam known for his quality of humbleness had shown his best qualities which one should follow at his last travel. From Guwahati, they want to travel for another 2.5 hours by road to reach IIM Shillong. They were in a convoy of 6-7 cars. Dr.Kalam and Srijan were in the second car, in front of which an open gypsy with 3 soldiers was moving. Dr.Kalam witnessed two of the soldiers sitting either side and one lean soldier was standing with his gun. With 1 hour of Journey completed Dr.Kalam got to ask “Why he is standing all the way? He might get tired. Can you get in touch with him through a wireless and ask him to sit”. Mr. Srijan tried convincing Dr.Kalam telling him that the soldier has been instructed to do so for better security. Dr.Kalam was not ready to agree and getting to know that he was not ready to listen to radio message, he himself found a way to hand signal him. Everything in vain, as soon as Dr.Kalam got down at Shillong, met this Soldier and said the following

“Are you tired? Would you like something to eat? I am sorry you had to stand so long because of me.”

– Dr APJ Abdul Kalam 

One can really feel, how the soldier would have felt with these words. This is not something very big act, but few words which would have made that soldier feel happy and this empathy from Dr.Kalam is no doubt an excellent act.

His last lecture had a pause with one sentence and that’s the last moment of Dr.Kalam with all of us.

On this day of his death anniversary, am not sure whether we had achieved his vision of India 2020 but am confident that we will do it. More than everything one should try to inculcate some of his best qualities. Last but not least we should DREAM, and Keep Dreaming for the welfare of this society. I know each and every Indian will miss this legend and on this day lets pledge to follow at least one great quality of our beloved MISSILE MAN.

If you are taking this pledge, share this article with hashtag #likemissileman. Ask your like-minded friends to do so, and let’s visualize India 2020, making Missile Man’s Dream Come True.

With Love,
Monish
#likemissileman

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