It was 2 years back from now, in summer of 2007. The memory had gradually faded away. Today [04-Aug-09], I read an article in Hindustan Times, where Former president,Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam went to an office of Hindustan Times and interacted with journalists and children. The memory of two years back refreshed in my mind.
The President had to deliver a lecture at Netaji auditorium, IIT Kharagpur. Students/Teachers wishing to listen to him had to get an entry pass ready beforehand. I didn’t have one. Actually, I didn’t try for that perhaps due to my laziness. Anyway, as the moments came closer, I saw some of my friends getting ready to attend the lecture session. I didn’t have an entry pass, so as usual, I decided to go with my normal routine : “attend classes which were to be scheduled around that time”. I took a notebook and pen and rided my bicycle to the Institute Main building. Reaching there, I found, the classes were cancelled ! (It was a good news, though ! J). Ok. So my next task was to forget about classes and at least try to get a seat inside the lecture hall. Reaching there, I realized, the security was tight and they would not allow any one without an entry pass.
I decided to stay outside the lecture hall, at least just to have a look at the President. I stood outside the Netaji auditorium, at around 50 metres distance from the entry gate at a bicycle shed. There were other persons like me – students and staff members alike waiting in anticipation for a look at the president. And between us and hall were two security guards, who won’t allow anyone move closer. We just stood there and waited. After around 30-40 minutes when the lecture session got over, the President came out and all eyes were at him, in deep silence to respect a human of great value. The president had a look around and saw us standing. He just waved his hand at us… and the reaction of the people: people standing were so delighted. Our steps became uncontrolled and started moving towards him as if uncontrollable. Moving ahead 5-10 steps, we realized we could not come more closer to him. The security guards were there and their duty was to prevent us coming closer to him. I realized that time, how great a personality he is, for whom the respect comes from within…
