Thursday, July 30, 2015

When comes such another?



“President with a difference” said Sri Sri in his tribute to Dr.Kalam.

Was reminiscing the moments with him at the grand finale of AOL Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 2006.   An extraordinary turnout of people from across the world was electrified by Dr.Kalam’s address.

Knowing his passion for Tirukkural, my thanksgiving address contained reference to a popular couplet “Vellathanaythu Malar neetam Mandartham Ullathanayatu Uyarvu” - The height of the water in a pond determines the height to which a lily would grow; likewise it is the height of one’s thoughts that determines the heights to which one can aspire for!

It was time for the President to leave. As he was stepping out across the magnificent stage secured on both flanks, he suddenly stopped to greet and ask: “Those lines were apt and touched my heart. Which college did you go to?”  I replied “Ji interestingly I am an alumnus of St.Josephs, Tiruchy,  a decade and a half behind you!”  He   beamed his trademark smile and parted with an invite to meet him sometime at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Several posts posthumously confirm that he never failed to strike such endearing chords of love and humility with people.

When comes such another?

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