Today, India is upset - upset like a bird which lost its wings, all on a sudden. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam whom India lost yesterday was wings for the nation. He was the first ‘president of the people’ of India, who knew the nation by the people who lived in it. He was not a Muslim born in India but an Indian born in Islam. He was not a child born with platinum spoons in his mouth; he was just an ordinary boy who knew the pain of hunger. He later taught a whole nation how to dream. It was all the difference he made in India. After 5th September 1997 on which India lost its’ Nobel Laureate – Mother Teresa of Missionaries of Charity, I should say that it is Dr APJ Abdul Kalam whose death shook the nation so awfully. M Teresa was a Christian and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was a Muslim. Whenever I realize that these things happen in a Nation in which 78% of people are Hindus, I am delighted because it is the type of solidarity Indian Thoughts envision and work for. Quite recently, I heard a similar touching story from Kerala. The heart of a clinically dead upper class Hindu man from Trivandrum was transplanted successfully to a poor Christian auto driver in Kochi (another city in Kerala, away by some 200 kms. approx.) The story never ends without a comment on the Muslim who financed this. Unless religions interrupt in, the heart of India always has a soft corner for its brethren beyond considerations of caste and culture.
Dr Kalam taught the nation to respect each other beyond caste and religion barriers. Without Dr Kalam somebody would have brewed up powerful satellites and rockets but nobody would have taught the nation how to dream; nobody could have written so powerfully motivating books for the future. Look at his important quotes:
“Don’t take rest after your first victory, because if you fail in a second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.”
“All birds find shelter during rain. But eagles avoids rains by flying above the clouds.”
“Failure will never overtake me if my definition to succeed is strong enough.”
“Man needs difficulties in life because it is necessary to enjoy the success.”
“If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.”
“It is very easy to defeat some one, but it is very hard to win someone.”
“All of us do not have equal talent. But all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”
“Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness.”
”Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.”
“Without your involvement you cannot succeed. Without your involvement you cannot fail.”
Indian Thoughts fraternity is bowing respectfully in memory of this legend who tuned the sensors of a proud Nation. Thank you Kalamji …thank you! Amar Raho Aap!
Joseph Mattappally
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