His Excellence Dr.APJ - I

April 16th 2008 in Events..., Inspirational

April 15^th 2008. I met a man with vision. I have not seen Swami Vivekananda or any one whom I have considered as a great leader. I have met some so called great leaders whom I felt not worth considering for myself. Perception differs. But this man filled the gap left in me. His excellence Dr.APJ was in the city of lions (Helsinki) for a seminar hosted by Sitra. The final seminar focuses on the issue of inclusiveness; how India’s economic growth could include all the segments of the society. Former President of India, H.E. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the keynote speaker and the topic he explored was “The role of technology in ensuring an inclusive and sustainable future.”

Few/Many things can’t be explained nor be expressed in words cent percent or at least I can’t. So was the feel when I met him. At an age of 77 the charisma in his face, the bumble bee energy, the enthu he has, I was absolutely stunned. Actually I have heard about him when I was in Chennai from my friends who were lucky enough to spend quality time with him in the Anna University campus. Now I envy them. As usual there was a question and answer session too. The day before seminar I did a ground work for what I want to ask him. Yes I am the guy who easily questions. I went through net gathering quiet a lot of information about Sir APJ which gave few new info about him. I have read few of his books like “Agni Siraghugal” (Wings of Fire), India 2020.

Before I go on further, my collective but not complete thought on India 2020. I personally think India 2020 as told by Sir APJ is not possible by 2020. Now I really mean to the point “Not possible by 2020” and don’t interpret that as “IMPOSSIBLE”. Call me a rebel, pessimist just because of what I said but I truly admire the vision of Sir APJ and I feel it’s possible with little bit of deviation in time frame.

I know the Finnish are too much time conscious when it’s something official. I wish they considered Sir APJ’s interest in interaction and planned the program that way. Hardly 10 minutes for a man like Sir APJ? I was very disappointed.Anyway the last question first. I know those who have already attended Sir APJ speech before know the answer. But still his answer has a “Life’s lesson”.

Question of Ex- Finnish Prime Minister: Sir, What was your happiest moment?

Sir APJ’s Answer: “In the year 1989 when I was the project director for SLV program our team worked hard on a satellite and finally launched the satellite in the following year. When the satellite went into the orbit as per the plan and finally called “Successful launch” I was happy.

When I was working on Agni missile program, on the final test day, the missile achieved all it’s specification in terms of distance and other things. That was one happy moment.

One fine summer on May 1998 when the temperature was around 53°Celsius, in the desert of rajasthan we did the nuclear test which made India also into the elite nuclear capable nation. That was a happy moment.

Like this there was lot of happiest+happiest+happiest moments. But the happiest moment is, when we worked on Agni program we developed a new light weight composite material. This is developed to withstand the 4000° kelvin heat generated with re-entry of Agni missile. My friend who is an orthopedist came to my place one day and took the material in hand. He felt the weightlessness and asked what it is? I explained him about the material, how strong it is and at the same time how light weight it is.

My friend took me to his hospital. He asked “What do you want to prove by launching a missile? Look at this poor girl – she has polio and she carries 4 kgs of weight in her crutches!! Do something for her; it will be much more meaningful.” So me and my team set down to work and reduced the weight of crutches by using the material used for the missile (FRO) from 4 kgs to 400 grams. It made the crutches ultra light and initially it was given to 15 people with polio.

After they wore those new crutches, those children who pretend to wear the old heavy crutches only when doctor came for inspection, started running here and there. They were able to walk so freely like never before. Looking at this, I saw every child’s parent wipe their tears.

It’s those moments of tears which I consider THE happiest moment in my life.”

This is not first time I came to know this. He has mentioned this in his book also. But you know, the feel was way different when I listened this directly from him and it cant be compared to what I felt when I read and heard it.

Life’s lesson: I don’t know whether experience is what one get when they don’t get what they want. But I am very sure “Happiness is what you get when you bring happiness to others” and it really doesn’t involve any big deal to practice. One simple act of love and care could change the life of someone forever.

Somehow i was reminded of “Into the wild” movie’s end which is based on the real adventure of Christopher McCandless.

“HAPPINESS IS REAL ONLY WHEN IT IS SHARED”

Christopher was unprepared and realized something so precious when it was too late.

After the speech was over, Sir APJ came down from the podium. Since the podium was little bit elevated he found it difficult to balance. Ex-Finnish prime minister went for his help. He simply denied and managed to get down all by himself. I have always wondered the in-dependency elderly people here in Finland showcase in their day to day life. And it’s not all, after coming down Sir APJ just jogged to his place as a gesture to show he is still young at his mind. Ok for once let me rephrase. “He jogged to his place as a gesture to show he is still young at his HEART”.

In my early childhood days I have done some coin collection, stamp collection etc as my hobby but never thought of having someone’s autograph. But near the end of the meeting I just had one wish. To get his autograph below one my favorite thirukural which means a lot.

The meaning of the above thirukural is

“The son’s duty to his father is to make the world ask, “By what great austerities did he merit such a son?” In simple terms, it’s the difference between an individual saying “I am son of so and so” and a father saying “I am father of so and so”.

I am happy, feel bit enlightened (though not complete ) having met a leader by all sense.

My unasked questions (but I was assured those will be answered soon), more info on the seminar, down-loadable audio, video, presentation soon to follow in second part.