Once I checked in at India International Centre and ordered a rental
car. A white Ambassdor with Rajsthan number plate driven by a husky man
was ordered by our friendly IIC Receptionist. The car appeared to be a
second hand bought from some Jaipuria minister. The owner-driver was
very polite but talkative middle-aged man named Aslam. With his vast
knowledge of driving around VIPs who stay at IIC, he was full of stories
about our dignitaries. But never he gossip about anyone’s personal
matters.
That day it was the first time we took Aslam’s car to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
As I asked him to take us to Rashtrapati Bhavan, proudly he boasted that
every security men knows him at the president palace. “Oh, then there
would be know problem with security,” commented Nirmala.
After a few minutes silence, Aslam in a serious tone addressed my wife,
“Mam, do you know why Atalji made Kalam President ?” He must have some
inside information I thought. “What do you think Aslam Miyan?” I asked.
“You see, it was costing the government crores of rupees to keep Kalam
safe and secured. State also spends crores to keep a President safe and
secured. So, Atalji is very clever, he put Kalam Sahib in Rastrapati
Bhavan and saved one crore. That is called two –in-one Mam.” He always
addressed to my wife with great deference, and requested us to narrate
his wise story to the President. Nirmala did tell Mahamahim how the
nation had been thrift under Atalji’s economic policy.
“Did you tell Kalam Sahib my story,” Aslam childlike amusement asked.
“Yes, yes, and the president was amused and said: “how creative is your
driver”.
A student asked Dr. Kalam: “Are you a Tamilian, scientist, president,
poet, a missile man or philosopher?” Quick wit Kalam replied: “A human
being that covers all others.”
Once I teased him: “India solved population problem by electing a
bachelor Prime Minister (Vajpayee) and another bachelor President.”
Kalam protested: “ He is a bachelor. I am brahmachari”.
Under the high domed of Rastrapati Bhavan dignitaries had assembled to
witness a ceremony when the President was to award honours to defence
forces. Heroes’ awards to be given posthumously to their widows. Prime
Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee with his entire cabinet was seated in the
front row along with three Defence Forces Chiefs in the huge Ashoka
Hall. A young war widow, wrapped in white cotton sari, was moving
nervously towards the high stage where the President was standing with
overbearing ADCs. A weak village woman had walked over a red carpet in
front of so many dignitaries. Yet as the protocol demanded the poor
widow was still to climb up another twenty steps to present herself
before the President who was standing on a high rostrum. She nervously
looked up to the President. And the hall burst with thunderous applause
as The First Citizen of my Republic broke the protocol and stepped down
affectionately to receive the young widow of an Indian jawan.
