“To succeed in life and achieve results, you must understand and master three mighty forces— desire, belief, and expectation.”-Dr APJ Kalam
It has been a little over than a week since Dr Kalam left us all, but I like many others who worked with him closely from his DRDO days till recently are still to come to terms with this loss. It took me a while to put my thoughts and emotions together to write these words -A tribute to a great personality and a humble human being, where I share his contribution to the nation, his love for creativity, some very valuable learning experiences and his poems
Besides missile and
nuclear science, the aeronautical scientist had concern for everything and used to
say agriculture or food production is most important science. India should
accord priority to agriculture development. He used to take enormous interest
in agriculture research in the country. Under his guidance as Scientific Advisor to
Raksha Mantri and Secretary Defence Research, we could green Leh, Kargil and
Nubra valley making life of locals (troops & tribals) better in the vast cold
desert near Siachen glacier. For his achievements in brief, please click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._P._J._Abdul_Kalam
My First Meeting with Dr APJ Kalam - His aura left a long lasting impression
I saw the long haired
scientist in 1985 when he had given presentation to Former State Minister of
Defence, Sh Arun Singh in Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi's Government. I was impressed
with his presentation which was full of energy and confidence. Later I met him
in RCI (DRDO, Missile Establishment, Hyderabad) in 1991 to give presentation on how RCI campus, full of boulders and nothing else can produce vegetables for
the scientists and staff deployed there (his genuine desire).
He appreciated the presentation and
sanctioned the proposal to see it coming true. After some time he saw along
with his RCI team the tomato plants laden with fruits there. One of his very
senior officers promptly calculated the enormous cost of 1 Kg of tomato
produced first time there and informed Dr Kalam expecting his appreciation. “Tomato
plants are fruiting in this land is remarkable”. He commented. Dr Kalam’s
response was great encouragement to me and my colleagues. He further reacted, cost
of making first missile do you think should frighten us? “In research (tomato
or missile) it is not the cost but the break-through made, is important. Initial high
cost of product is brought down to commercial level by subsequent research only
(that is step No. 2)”, said Kalam
Dr Kalam's first visit to Leh was a milestone...
I had long
interaction with him since 1992 when he became Scientific Advisor to
Raksha Mantri and DRDO Chief. By that time I became the Director, Field Research
Laboratory (now Defence Institute of High Altitude Research), Leh. I requested
him to visit Leh.
With repeated requests he conditionally agreed (to be back
same day from Leh by civil aircraft, despite being entitled for hiring Service
Aircraft). This condition was, on the face of it, looked impossible because
civil flights to Leh used to operate in forenoon for technical reasons (at that
time only Indian Airlines used to operate on certain days in a week).
I took a challenge to meet his requirement and after working out modalities
(flight from Delhi-Leh-Jammu/Shrinagar- Leh-Delhi, 6 hrs or so gave me time of
more than one hour for his visit; Leh- Shrinagar-Leh slot). I told him that you
would be back by lunch time same day. He agreed and visited in mid 1990s with
in the stipulated time. I was lucky, the flight to
Leh was not delayed or cancelled which was not uncommon those days in that
sector. After that he developed fascination for that area, its people and
defence forces deployed there.
He contributed a lot -
He contributed a lot -
The contributions of Dr. Kalam in this God forbidden difficult place are well known to security forces.
Main contributions related to research for societal cause in this sector where
I and my colleagues were involved are:
In
place of mud house laboratory where winter (temp. minus 20 degree centigrade)
would not allow to work, sanctioned a world class centrally heated research laboratory
at Leh, 11,500 ft amsl which is in place. Perhaps the only science laboratory at
such an elevation in the world
Encouraged
development of vegetable production technologies for the area considered
impossible, now being practiced by local farmers along with milk and egg
production
Establishment of first herbal garden at 11 500
ft. which led to development of herbal gardens in Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi
and subsequently throughout the country
Highlighted
new nutrition fruit crop, Seabuckthorn (Brahma Phal) capable of yielding Rs
7000 crores annually to Ladakh area from the natural growth there and having
host of medicinal properties. (Refer New Age Horticulture blog for details)
In 1999, he retired from DRDO to take over the
office of Principal Scientific Advisor to Prime Minister of India. I had the fortune to be associated with him
and assist in contribution to the scientific societal projects of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC)
and others, major being development of center of excellence in agro-technology
and food industry at Thaper University, Patiala. Likewise he established
several centers of excellence in science and technology in the country.
A scientist as the Country's President
New gardens at Rashtrapati Bhawan
After assuming office of first citizen of India, Dr Kalam provided me an opportunity to serve in President House as
Officer on Special Duty (Horticulture). There, besides improving the already
existing Mughal Garden by adding more rose varieties and ornamental plant
species we added following gardens to the estate which today are being enjoyed by the
President and Public besides contributing to awareness and inspiration
to the visitors, particularly during March –April when these gardens are open to
public viewing every year.
The newly added gardens by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam were:
Herbal
Garden (2 in number). They have
herbs of commercial importance besides groups of herbs for ailment of different
human and animal body systems. Essential oils extraction facility was created
for demonstration to farmers and extraction of oil from herbs of Rashtrapati
Bhawan.
Spiritual Garden Development of spiritual garden by Scientist Dr Kalam speaks of his concern for humanity and harmony among humans. Plants having mention in different religions have been put in a garden where they are flourishing well. The message here is “Plants belonging to different religions are flourishing together, why not us human beings”.
Tactile
Garden A garden for visually challenged. Here visually challenged person if
walks on pebble path he/she reaches to plant to touch and/or smell it and read
the description in braille on a stand placed at each bed.
Musical Garden It is combination of suitable plants and musical fountains. Plants add to
the enjoyment of fountain music, that have a very soothing effect mainly the yellow
colored foliage and flowers. Dr Kalam used to enjoy classical music in this
garden and garden was open to public on demand.
Cactus Garden Cactus collected from the country were put in cactus house and in open for
their aesthetics, awareness, conservation and multiplication.
Biofuel
garden Oil yielding tree species with biofuel potential were planted in
this garden for creating awareness and education to visitors.
Nutrition Organic Garden for President’s kitchen organic nutrition garden for
growing vegetables and fruits was modernized and use of vermicomposting
popularized.
Biofuel
Garden Most of the major oil yielding tree species were planted for trial
and conservation.
The Mughal Garden All three portions viz, Main Mughal garden, Long garden and Circular garden were value added by improving their care and adding flowering and foliage plants of national importance. Dr Kalam had liking for circular/shunken/terraced garden where he used to spend time by just observing nature and beauty.
Lakes for Migratory Bird Near Nutrition garden in Dalikhana new lake was created for migratory birds
as major attraction besides maintaining large population of peacocks, deer,
parakeet and others in Biodiversity Park.
By creating these gardens in first house of the country, Dr Kalam wanted to promote
the cultivation of plants like medicinal plants, biofuel crops etc in the
country and conserve biodiversity, which did serve the purpose.
Books on Gardens
Dr Kalam used to take interest in improving
environments. During his tenure as DRDO Chief he made all DRDO labs
environment friendly to enhance mood of scientist and stimulate their thinking.
He used to encourage participation by his establishment whether laboratory or
Rashtrpati Bhawan in garden shows of the area.
Dr Kalam - Post his Presidency term at 10, Rajaji Marg
In 2007, he moved to 10, Rajaji Marg in Lutyens
Delhi from first home of the country where he used to exchange views on several
scientific and other national issues and matters with countrymen. His main
concern was food security for the country to make India strong and wanted
appropriate indigenous agro-technology for our farmers. During one of his visits to USA, Orlando,
Disney land he saw hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical farming, soilless
cultivation etc which he wanted me to demonstrate at 10 Rajaji Marg.
I was
reluctant to undertake it because of monkey menace there. He jokingly used to
say, “Monkeys are my friends, they would not spoil my garden”. I feel so sad
and bad that I could not demonstrate above there. In fact I was on it but
meanwhile his heavenly departure shockingly came unexpected. I may not be able to
come out of this and the failure of the assignment he expected me to perform. I
do not know what to do but thinking seriously to devote my life for
the development and popularization of protected cultivation in the country,
covering above mentioned, and pay my tribute to departed noble hard working soul.
Interesting experiences with Dr Kalam
Inner beauty
Just seeing attractive beautiful rose in
Mughal garden of Rashtrapati Bhawan prompted me to request Dr Kalam to see this
beautiful rose. He went near the rose plant, bent down to smell the flower and told
me no fragrance hence it is not so beautiful. Message was clear that it is
inner beauty which matters and is appreciated and in a rose, it's beauty is with its
fragrance.
Love for Farmers
During the public viewing of
Mughal gardens of Rashtrapati Bhawan, one day was exclusively for farmers. During 2007, farmers from several states
came to view Mughal gardens in large numbers
(5000 or so). After going around the garden more than 1000 farmers insisted to meet the president in person. Because of a large number it did not seem feasible to meet all of them. I informed the Secretary to President, who directed me straight to Dr Kalam.
(5000 or so). After going around the garden more than 1000 farmers insisted to meet the president in person. Because of a large number it did not seem feasible to meet all of them. I informed the Secretary to President, who directed me straight to Dr Kalam.
When I told
him, he smilingly said I am eager to meet them.Please see that I meet
them all. I submitted "sir you can address them in central lawn, meeting them
individually is not possible by closing hours". He asked me to get them in the central lawn of Mughal garden and how I meet them all is my problem. So at no
notice the event was organized. Farmers state wise were made to sit in rows
with inter row spacing of two feet or so with all required security etc.
Dr Kalam then came, greeted and asked them to remain seated. He walked through the rows, shaking hand
with the farmers completing the job in around an hour. Farmers were more than
happy and left the Rashtrapati Bhawan which they refused to do so without
meeting him.
Great soul with great ideas and concern for
farmers and his people. This event has left indelible impression on me. If
there is a will, there is a way.
Failure did
not deter him
In one of the Defence
Research Council (all top scientists at DRDO headquarters were its member) the
news of failure of prestigious project came to Chief
Controller of the project, he could not bear the shock
and left the meeting to cry loudly in his nearby office. Dr Kalam asked one of
the seniors to pacify him and continued the council meeting as usual. "Never get perturbed with failure, analyze it and plan for the success", was the
clear message to we all attending the meeting.
Snow becomes green
In one of the visits to Leh seeing the snow
clad peaks of Himalaya, Dr Kalam told me "this snow on melting goes down to the plains to change its color from white to green, which means snow-melt water
helps with greenery and raising crops.
Poems By Dr APJ Kalam for my books
Late Dr Kalam is a symbol of technological advancement and excellence, courage, conviction, hard work, sincerity, honesty, integrity, humility, simplicity, truth, cool headedness, respect to all, positivity, love for nature and many more such qualities that proved him to be a human being - A Bharat Ratna in true sense.
The burial of great
soul Dr Kalam, with state honour, took place at PEI KARUMBU (couple of
kilometers from his birth place), Rameshvaram, Tamil Nadu on 30th
July, 2015, a place for his memorial. I along with my
family and friends offer deepest condolences to our beloved Former President of
India, Dr APJ,Kalam Ji.
