Are You Ready? – Sujata

Are You Ready?
By Sujatha​

Batch mate writes about his Batch mate in MIT Chromepet, Chennai India ​

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Trichy
St. Valanar College (St. Joseph) B.Sc. My classmate in studies. In that college we used to chat till the bell rang in the big hall called Lolly Hall during lunch breaks. I remember Abdul Kalam from that time.

He doesn't talk much. He laughs and blurts out if he makes a fuss. He will not come to the cinema with us. B.Sc. After graduation I joined MIT in electronics and he joined aeronautics the same year. I remember meeting and talking often because of their common interest in Tamil.

He was involved in Bharati songs and Thirukkural. It was then that he knew that he had an interest in achieving something practical in the fields of aeronautics and rocketry. MIT's German Prof. Rebandin, Prof. Pandale etc. to guide (I think first in the country)

They completed an engineless aircraft called a glider. It was taken down to Meenambakkam piece by piece, locked again, pulled by a 'winch' and hoisted like a kite, when it caught the dharmal (hot air) and flew with pride, all of us in the college flew with pride.

Kalam played a role in it. Raghavachari, professor of physics at MIT, is involved in Tamil. He organized a competition for writing scientific essays in Tamil. Kalam and I participated in it. The article written by Kalam was titled 'Let's Build Aagaya Vimana'.

I have written an article on 'Infinity Mathematics'. Kalam got the prize. It didn't stop with writing. He later built what became the airplane, the rocket. After MIT, I lost contact with him for a few years. Over the years he has grown under the watchful eye of the likes of Vikram Sarabhai.

Trained at NASA. When I joined Bharat Electronics, I got a chance to meet Kalam again for work. He was involved in the design of rockets like ISRO's 'SLV'. It was then that the signs of hard labor were visible. Those around him said then that Kalam would quickly rise up the government ladder.

Later he joined the Space Department at DRDO, Hyderabad. He took charge of the company and successfully completed the design of missiles like 'Pruthvi', 'Agni', 'Akash' and 'Nag' of the Government of India. He was then appointed as the Prime Minister's Security Adviser in Delhi.

The much delayed LCA of Govt. Kalam's role was significant in pulling the plane out of the hangar and flying. Kalam's growth is manifold compared to others who studied at MIT in that batch with us. None of us rose to the 'Bharat Ratna' range. Kalam's success is due to dedication, tireless work and self-belief.

I have been attending the review meetings held by Kalam when he was at DRDO. Be very brief. He will ask the respective project leader if a particular thing has happened. He will never get angry if he is late. He doesn't make noise. Somehow he will make him feel embarrassed about breaking his promise to him.

When he himself works so hard 24/7/365 it is imperative that others compensate. Leading by example. His own needs were simple. Brahmachari. Vegetarian food. No bad habits. Along with this, the virtuous qualities of the proven Muslim kept him far away from the challenges of such a great position.

In the Tehalka tapes, Kalam is mentioned as a big prop for big bribes. I remember one incident clearly. When he went to a meeting with him in Hyderabad some Russian technicians had come. They had a dinner at Banjara Hotel. He also invited me.

The Russians were happy to sign a treaty. They forced a vodka into Kalam's hand. Kalam does not have any habit of lagging. Embarrassed, he hurriedly approached me and asked, 'What's in your hand?' said. I said 'Water.. Just water kalam'. 'Konda' he said. Grabbing the glass I was holding with lightning speed, he shoved the vodka glass into my hand.

If you say you won't eat, you won't understand them...' After a while Kalam's water glass clinks together with the vodka glasses saying 'Cheers'.. Kalam and I plan to write a book together. He said that we can start writing about Indian rocketry from the time of Tippusultan. 'I'm ready...are you ready?' Whenever I see that, I ask.

I will come here... can we start next month?' I think he will write that book after he retires now. If the Government of India, American Universities and Colleges, Arima Rotary Societies, Schools and Community Organizations leave him alone!

July 27 Abdul Kalam Memorial Day whatsapp sharing....