I was happily sitting at home when phone rang. Rashtrapati Bhavan:
Professor Sharma, please. The ADC of the President came on line and said
“ President Kalam wants you to come to the swearing –in ceremony on
(next day) in the Parliament House.” Nirmala and I had received the news
that our Scientist Sage friend Kalam was to be sworn-in …but we had
never been invited to such official functions. Moreover, I knew no court
Atticate. Nor did I posses formal attire to attend a function at the
Reshtrapati Bhavan.
There was no official car sent to receive me at the station but as I
checked in at India International Centre, an Official Envelope was
waiting for me. With full Presidential Seals and Security instruction
and protocol I was given necessary document to enable me to enter the
high security zones of the State. There was some confusion at the
Parliament House as where should be seated the personal guest of the
President but the official soon worked out and I was conducted to the
proper site where Dr. Kalam’s guests and family members from Rameshwaram
were seated. The house was soon full of the past and present prime
ministers, ministers, members of both the houses, chiefs of Defence
Forces, Ambassadors and of course, entire media assembled to witness the
historical event.
As I was meeting and greeting scientists and dignitaries – awaiting the
call to order – an ADC rushed to me – Professor Dhirendra Sharma-ji? And
handed me a big envelop again with a big Presidential Seal inviting me
to attend a Special function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after the
Swearing ceremony in Parliament. I was given instructions how to
approach the high place as there are several entrances and the estate is
rather a maze of rooms, building, wings, and gardens guarded all around.
After about two hours ceremony at the Parliament House I came out
somewhat happy but perplexed with all the pomp and show, especially
upset with overbearing presence of security men and officers. I learnt
that some jihadis had put our muslim president on the hit list. For,
Kalam had accepted presidency of a Kafir Republic.
I was dredging to cover the vast open span of the South Block and the
green corridors of the grand State buildings of the Government of India,
heading to the RB, anxious not to miss the invitation of the First
Citizen of India..I was rudely stopped by security guards at every ten
steps and interrogated. I showed the official invitation “but if you are
Professor Sharma, the personal guest of the president, why aren’t you in
formal dress and going in an official car?” I had to show my identity
and convinced the security personnel of my good intentions. The police
men impressed with my simplicity akin to our new Head of the State,
profusely complimented and said: “Please tell Dr. Kalam our Salam.
Nation is so proud of him.”
After a few encounters I started to receive courtesies when the message
was passed on that this man in simple kurta-pajama –is no security
threat to the President. At the tall gate of the Rashtrapati Bhavan some
high ranking officers received me and requested that they can get me on
to so many cars rushing to the same direction to the same functions. But
I declined and moved on in chappal on foot. The officer directing me to
the right gate and place…I thanked them and marched on putting up a
brave face, still apprehensive of some misunderstanding with the extra
alert security system.
In a simple but elegant function New President ceremoniously sent off
the old President and in the presence of Prime Minsiter Atal Bihari
Vajpayee and the cabinet formally entered the Rashtrapati Bhavan
escorted by his Presidential Body Guards. Dr. Kalam did not offer any
tea to the VVIPs. But special refreshment was served to some hundred
children from the capital city’s disadvantaged and blind children.
As I was now coming out of the regal place of the President, I was now
re-tracing my morning trek. Reaching the tall gate – high ranking
officers stood up to greet me: “Professor Sharma-ji, did you meet Dr.
Kalam? Did you shake hand with him?..”
“Yes, yes, why not,” I replied proudly. “Please, shake our hands with
the hand you shook Dr. Kalam’s ”
All the soldiers and the young men of Police Force lined up shook my
hand. I was proudly happy for my Republic.
