The infectious grief and sense of loss following the death of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Shillong July 27 crossed the Atlantic to reach the United States, especially New York, last week as the Indian American community mourned the death of the former President who visited the Big Apple in 2008 as well as in 2009.
People big and small from the community who saw him during the visits, and in some instances got a chance to talk to him, still have fond memories of the ‘People’s President’ and expressed their grief while paying tributes to the man who endeared himself to one and all while in New York on two consecutive years.
One such person is Stanley George who was a captain of the New York Police Department at that time and was in charge of police detail when Kalam in 2008 visited the Queens Hindu Temple before going to the auditorium where he was given a community reception. George said the President called him on the stage and talked to him briefly and shook hands with him. “As part of my police duty I have seen many VVIPs from close quarters, but his was the first time in my life that a President would call an ordinary person like me on the stage and shook hands with me and even say: ‘Nice to meet you sir.” Even today I keep telling people about this and have his photo with me in my office,” George said.
Kalam’s humility and modesty touched many other hearts as well. For instance George Thomas, a civilian in charge of security within the auditorium, recalled that there was a special chair on the podium for the President. “The first thing he did after walking to the auditorium was to ask that the chair be removed.
Dr. Sudhir M Parikh, publisher of News India Times and Padma Shri award winner who helped organize a community reception for Dr Kalam during his 2008 visit to New York touched upon this aspect of the former President’s character. “Despite being a well-known scientist, educationist, and a statesman, he was truly a people’s President. Even in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, he would sometimes ignore protocol and allow his security guards to be photographed with him.
“No doubt, he was rightly given the Bharat Ratna award in 1997. The fact that even after laying down office, he continued to work for children’s right to education and inspired millions of youth in India and elsewhere, and unfortunately breathed his last while addressing young people at an educational institution speaks volume about Dr Kalam’s dedication and commitment to education,” Dr Parikh said.
George Abraham, who then was the chief information technology officer at the United nations that time and president of Indian National Overseas Congress and helped bring some 35 Indian American organizations to honor the President, till today remembers that the President invited him to travel with him in his car to the airport while asking him about the Indian American organizations here. “Can you imagine a President calling an ordinary person like me to be with him in his car? I still remember he told me that it was crucial to unite all people of Indian origin in the United States and bring all organizations representing the community under one umbrella,” Abraham said.
Abraham said that a number of community leaders, including Lal Motwani, co-chair of PIO-NRI of Greater New York, and Dr. Sudhir Parikh, helped put that event together. .
The death of Kalam obviously prompted many community organizations to hold candlelight vigils and condolence meetings to pay respect to the President.
The Overseas Friends of BJP USA in a statement said it shocked and saddened by the demise of Dr. Kalam. It noted that Kalam inspired millions of children and youth of the nation with his motivational speeches across the country.
Dr. Kalam was indeed a “People’s President” and was a man of scholarly pursuits and academics and he breathed his last while delivering a lecture at an academic institutions,” it added.
The Federation of Indian Associations of New and New Jersey scheduled an event slated for August 2 in Edison, New Jersey, to pay respect to Kalam. The event is tiled Shradhanjali, or tribute. But it was not just in New York/New Jersey area.
Telugu Association of North America in association with Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas and other Indian organizations held a candle light vigil and condolence meeting July 27 to pay tribute to Kalam at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in Irving. More than 250 people from all walks of life gathered to pay a rich floral tribute to Kalam
Prasad Thotakura, chairman of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and past president of TANA said that the death of Kalam is a great loss to the entire nation. “Even though he is no more with us physically he will be remembered by generations to come as a gentle, sincere, saintly human being who was full of passion, love and affection for India and a proud son of Bharat Mata,” he said.
TANA is going to organize several events across the country in collaboration with other Telugu organizations, including one in Atlanta, Georgia, July 29, in Collegeville, Philadelphia August one, in Edison, New Jersey, August 2, at Sri Venkateswara Temple, Powell Columbus, Ohio, August 2 and at Copernicus Center, in Chicago August 7.
The Non-Resident Indians for Secular and Harmonious India issued a statement in New York mourning the death of Kalam whom it described as the “most beloved” President of India. “In his death India has lost a great Indian who was a scientist, an engineer, a teacher, a great and demanding manager, and one whose life represented total devotion to his country and his work,” it said.
The INOC said in a statement that in a sea of anguish, sufferings and disappointments, “Dr Kalam was truly an inspirational voice that provided positive energy to common people especially the youth.
“His contribution to the scientific advancement of India is quite unparalleled. He will be remembered forever as a noble soul who has dedicated his exemplary life moving India forward in all fields and inspiring everyone around him,” George Abraham, INOC Chairman said.
The Overseas Friends of BJP USA in a statement said it shocked and saddened by the demise of Dr. Kalam. It noted that Kalam inspired millions of children and youth of the nation with his motivational speeches across the country. Dr. Kalam was indeed a “People’s President” and was a man of scholarly pursuits and academics and he breathed his last while delivering a lecture at an academic institutions,” it added.
Rishikant Singh, Regional Manager- Americas for Air India said in a statement that It is a moment of shock that the nation heard of the demise of Dr. Kalam. “In the death of a man of humble origins, a great scientist, humanitarian, visionary and gentle person who won all our hearts, our nation has lost a gem! I hope we have the strength to follow his timeless ideals in our lives,’ he said.
Kalam visited New York in April 2009 as well when he was honored by the Columbia University with the prestigious Hoover Medal at ceremonies at Columbia’s Low Memorial Library. The medal is given to recognize “great, unselfish, non-technical services by engineers to humanity,” to those whose professional achievements and personal endeavors have advanced the well-being of humankind.
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