Missile Man's Last Moments

July 29, 2015

'Sir aapke liye toh 6 ghante bhi khade rahenge'

Even on his last trip, Kalam showed why he was a beloved president.

"We were in a convoy of 6-7 cars. Dr. Kalam and I were in the second car. Ahead us was an open gypsy with three soldiers in it. Two of them were sitting on either side and one lean guy was standing atop, holding his gun. One hour into the road journey, Dr. Kalam said, 'Why is he standing? He will get tired. This is like punishment. Can you ask a wireless message to (be) given that he may sit?'" Singh wrote.

Singh said he tried to convince Kalam that the guard had probably been instructed to stand for better security but the former president wouldn't relent. They tried to signal him to sit down and even through radio message but they were unsuccessful.

"Finally, realizing there is little we can do – he told me, 'I want to meet him and thank him'. Later, when we landed in IIM Shillong, I went inquiring through security people and got hold of the standing guy. I took him inside and Dr. Kalam greeted him. He shook his hand, said thank you buddy. 'Are you tired? Would you like something to eat? I am sorry you had to stand so long because of me'. The young lean guard, draped in black cloth, was surprised at the treatment. He lost words, just said, 'Sir, aapke liye to 6 ghante bhi khade rahenge'(for you I would stand even for six hours)," Singh noted.

http://www.firstpost.com/india/goodbyes-should-be-short-really-short-apj-abdul-kalams-advisor-documents-his-last-moments-2366656.html