1. When Kalam refused to sit on President’s chair
In one of the events when Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Sir was offered a special seat to him, he refused the offer. The reason being the chair was bigger in the size and was meant to give Kalam special honour.
The incident was at the Indian Institute of Technology of (BHU) Varanasi, where the Indian Institute of Technology was called as the chief guest. Five chairs were arranged in the state, one for Kalam sir in the center and the other four for top university officials. When the Missile Man was told to sit on the chair, he took notice of it and humbly offered the seat to a university official instead.
2. Once Kalam addressed 400 students without electricity at the place
Reportedly, soon after becoming president in 2002, he was supposed to address students at a school function.
When he was about to start his speech, the electricity suddenly went off. Nothing was working but Kalam sir remained nonchalant. He told a huge crowd of students to gather him around and listen to him. Kalam sir gave the mesmerizing lecture without any interruption for hours. Such was the aura of the Kalam.
3. When Kalam asked what he should do with his saved money
One must not be aware of the fact that after becoming president of India, Kalam sir donated all his saved money to the social cause.
Reportedly he had given money to ‘Pura’ an working in the remote areas to provide villagers with basic infrastructure. When he was at the president post, Kalam had once called Amul’s owner Verghese Kurian asking him what he should do with his money as government of India will take care of him lifelong.
4. Kalam used to read both Kuran, Bhagvad Gita
Muslim by religion, he believed in all religions. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam garu used to read both Kuran, and Bhagavad Gita. Not only that he was an expert in playing Saraswati, Veena. Truly, Kalam was a man who believed in serving humankind with love and a magnanimous attitude.
5. Magnanimous nature of Kalam
Once Kalam ordered not to put broken glass on the wall for its protection as it will harm birds. This happened when he used to serve at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). When Organization had planned to put the glass on the wall as a protection cover, Kalam rejected the idea without thinking it twice. “If we do that, birds will not be able to perch on the wall”, people’s President Kalam had said.
