Salaam to our dear Dr. Abdul Kalam!

Salaam to our dear Dr. Abdul Kalam!

Having heard about the fall during his presentation and death at Bethany hospital in Shillong of our dear former President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam I just thanked God for the precious gift of him to the humanity at large. Truly he was a member of a world family ideal – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam by which he embraced and enhanced all. Sincerely he was a barrier free man of our modern Republic India!

As soon as Dr. Abdul Kalam died, many started writing tributes. Everyone has expressed about him from his/her perspective based on his/her personal or institutional experiences. It has been worth reading and watching about him from varies media. One thing is clear from the expressed impressions that he continually stands even today as a symbol of integral person of our freed India!

Dr. Abdul Kalam is dead and buried. He is no more with us physically. But he is very much alive especially in the Ignited Minds of our Indian brethren. Those who positively allowed themselves to be enveloped by his progressive thinking continue to make him alive in the midst of the confused and conflicted India! Yes. Our India needs a true and a clean change. In this context of our Indian nation, in order to become a change maker or to make a difference, it is worth following the footsteps of our great personalities – ‘mahatmas’ of our Nation like Gandhi Bapu, Mother Teresa and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam!

All these three noble persons have played in some way a vital role in shaping up my personality. Because of Gandhi I got attracted to become a missionary in his land of Gujarat and to share my Faith experience of Jesus in the midst of all those who hunger and thirst for God. It was in this Gujarat while being a student of theology at Premal Jyoti in Ahmedabad, along with my companions, I got the opportunity to have the darshan and kiss the hands of our Blessed Mother Teresa and to listen to her whispered words – “Brother, Become a holy Priest”! Again, in this same Gujarat I got the opportunity to be blessed by Dr. Abdul Kalam. When and How?

Well, I never ever dreamt that I would one day meet Dr. Kalam. But, it all happened. It was exactly a year back in 2014 when I was selected from India as one of the three representatives from Asian continent by Frater Intercontinental for Persons with Disabilities to participate as a Core-committee member in Slovenia – Europe, Mr. Amrut Patel, the Deputy Collector (Protocol) of Ahmedabad and the supportive friend of our Unteshwari Mission called me over my mobile at 11.30 am – “Father, I want you to meet Dr. Abdul Kalam and get his blessings since you are going to represent India soon in Europe. I have acquired already the necessary permission. So, leave at once and come to the New Circuit House at Shahibaug, Ahmedabad. Here I’ll wait for you”. Sincerely I was humbled by this call and finally after much thought I left for Ahmedabad. While driving I did experience the usual traffic commotion at Hansol area. Finally I reached the spot and I was well received by Mr. Amrutbhai. He briefed me of the visit and then he said, “Father, Dr. Abdul Kalam says that he would meet you at the VIP lounge of the domestic airport. So, you leave your vehicle here and join us in one of the vehicles of the VIPs”. So, at 2.00pm we all left for the airport. There were 15 vehicles with full security system moved from the New Circuit House. I was asked to travel alone in a vehicle with four policemen. Oh, what a memorable experience it was to travel in this way on a traffic-free road in Ahmedabad!

As we reached the airport Dr. Abdul Kalam and I said hello to each other and at once he straight went to the VIP lounge. There I was called to meet him. In our meeting I introduced myself as a Jesuit Priest serving in Gujarat. Immediately he smiled and greeted me with remarkable reverence. At once he acknowledged, “Father, I was a student of your Trichy St. Joseph’s college, Tamil Nadu. I cannot forget the service rendered by your Jesuit Fathers to me”. Then attentively he listened to me and finally he said, “I am very glad that you are chosen to represent India in Europe. I am proud of you. Make a difference in the lives of ALL people. My best wishes for you Father”. Then, devoutly I bowed my head before him and received his blessing. This was a moment of grace which I can never forget!

We were together for 15 minutes in that lounge. While being with him I could feel the warmth and the genuine interest to listen to me and speak about how we need to be at the side of the needy persons. His encouraging words to commit for the Nation building and international collaboration were remarkable. Though it was a short encounter, I did experience the zealous spirit and the single mindedness in his spoken words. I could experience the simplicity and humility in his gestures. Indeed it was a grace-filled moment for me to sit at his side and to vibrate with him in Igniting Minds of the young in India. My sincere pranam and salaam to our dear late Dr. Abdul Kalam for his availability and blessings! Thanks to Mr. Amrut Patel for providing such an opportunity to meet such an eminent personality of our nation who was lovingly called as “People’s President”. May the Mission of Igniting Minds of the young be continued through every Father and Sister in collaboration with the lay leaders of our Indian Church, particularly in Gujarat and let the young minds of our growing Gujarat encounter each of us as People’s Pastor and Poor’s Pastor who can sit at their side and smell the context! May the flame of Kalam continue to shine in us to make India a home for all citizens of India to live and move without fear! Let today the MAKE IN INDIA mission be inspired by such an inclusive life style of Dr. Abdul Kalam! To such a person my sincere salaam!

- Fr. Girish Santiago, SJ