My son Aditya’s wonderful experience meeting great personality Sri Abdul Kalam ji! In his own words........
20 years ago, working intently on a project in the robotics lab of CAIR, Bangalore, time had eluded me. It was past 7:30pm. Lights were being switched off throughout the center, preparing to close for the day. It was just me and my colleague Sartaj in the lab. Sartaj used to drop me to the bus stop everyday after work, to take my bus to CV Raman Nagar. That evening, he couldn't do it. Immersed in my work, I forgot that I didn't have a ride to go home, but not being bothered by it, I continued on my work.
Around 8pm, I heard what sounded like someone coming down the steps. The door to the lab opened and the director of the center, Mr. Vidyasagar peeped in and asked 'Aditya, I am going towards CV Raman Nagar. Do you want me to drop you?' I quickly jumped up to his offer. It was like a God send help. I followed Mr. Vidyasagar and hoped in his car, happy that my problem to go home was resolved.
On our way Mr. Vidyadagar mentioned that he wanted to pick up some masala dosas for a bachelor friend of his. We stopped at Shanbhagh hotel, a popular joint for us scientists from CAIR and picked up some masala dosas. We proceeded from there to the home of his friend living in ISRO, which was on our way to CV Raman Nagar. At the gates to the home, our car was stopped by a security guard. Mr. Vidyasagar quickly waved his badge to the security guard and the gates opened. We drove in and as we neared the entrance to the home, an old man dressed plainly and if I can recollect, in his lungis came to greet us. Mr. Vidyasagar introduced me to his friend - Mr. ABDUL KALAM. At that time, I didn't think much on hearing the name. Yes, he was well spoken about and considered an important figure in our defense scientific world, but probably not widely popular.
Mr. KALAM led us inside his home. As we walked past his living room, I noticed the Indian instrument Veena kept there and next to it was a diwan and few books, neatly arranged. Mr. KALAM and Mr. Vidyasagar chatted like they were friends meeting regularly. Their conversation mostly dipped in the various projects both their centers were involved in. My thoughts rambled to various subjects and occasionally thought about the Veena I had just seen in the room. During that evening's conversation, Mr. Vidyasagar mentioned to Mr. KALAM that I was a scientist who played the Veena. Mr. KALAM looked at me with a soft smile and responded "Oh! just like me". Later, Mr. KALAM had an urgent call to attend and we quietly exited from his place.
Those words 'Oh! Just like me' continued to ring in my ears, rewarding and inspiring, every time his name crossed my eyes or ears. What a humble man! That was the first time I had met him in person. He later did come to CAIR on few occasions to check on our projects as we used to work closely with ISRO. However his remark 'Oh! Just like me' will forever be with me. A great son of India. May his soul rest in peace.....
20 years ago, working intently on a project in the robotics lab of CAIR, Bangalore, time had eluded me. It was past 7:30pm. Lights were being switched off throughout the center, preparing to close for the day. It was just me and my colleague Sartaj in the lab. Sartaj used to drop me to the bus stop everyday after work, to take my bus to CV Raman Nagar. That evening, he couldn't do it. Immersed in my work, I forgot that I didn't have a ride to go home, but not being bothered by it, I continued on my work.
Around 8pm, I heard what sounded like someone coming down the steps. The door to the lab opened and the director of the center, Mr. Vidyasagar peeped in and asked 'Aditya, I am going towards CV Raman Nagar. Do you want me to drop you?' I quickly jumped up to his offer. It was like a God send help. I followed Mr. Vidyasagar and hoped in his car, happy that my problem to go home was resolved.
On our way Mr. Vidyadagar mentioned that he wanted to pick up some masala dosas for a bachelor friend of his. We stopped at Shanbhagh hotel, a popular joint for us scientists from CAIR and picked up some masala dosas. We proceeded from there to the home of his friend living in ISRO, which was on our way to CV Raman Nagar. At the gates to the home, our car was stopped by a security guard. Mr. Vidyasagar quickly waved his badge to the security guard and the gates opened. We drove in and as we neared the entrance to the home, an old man dressed plainly and if I can recollect, in his lungis came to greet us. Mr. Vidyasagar introduced me to his friend - Mr. ABDUL KALAM. At that time, I didn't think much on hearing the name. Yes, he was well spoken about and considered an important figure in our defense scientific world, but probably not widely popular.
Mr. KALAM led us inside his home. As we walked past his living room, I noticed the Indian instrument Veena kept there and next to it was a diwan and few books, neatly arranged. Mr. KALAM and Mr. Vidyasagar chatted like they were friends meeting regularly. Their conversation mostly dipped in the various projects both their centers were involved in. My thoughts rambled to various subjects and occasionally thought about the Veena I had just seen in the room. During that evening's conversation, Mr. Vidyasagar mentioned to Mr. KALAM that I was a scientist who played the Veena. Mr. KALAM looked at me with a soft smile and responded "Oh! just like me". Later, Mr. KALAM had an urgent call to attend and we quietly exited from his place.
Those words 'Oh! Just like me' continued to ring in my ears, rewarding and inspiring, every time his name crossed my eyes or ears. What a humble man! That was the first time I had met him in person. He later did come to CAIR on few occasions to check on our projects as we used to work closely with ISRO. However his remark 'Oh! Just like me' will forever be with me. A great son of India. May his soul rest in peace.....
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