ALAPPUZHA: It’s the saddest day in the life of Mahadeva Iyer, an old friend of the late former President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The sad demise has multiplied the agony of this grand old friend because Dr Kalam left this world before fulfilling his commitment of meeting this Alappuzhite on August 22.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr Iyer, a Chartered Accountant and SDV Trust Chairman, shared reminiscences he had with the peoples’ president during his intermediate days at St. Joseph College, Tiruchirappalli in 1952-’54.
They were Physics students, shared hostel space and parted ways after two years of campus days. Dr Kalam later chose aeronautical engineering while Mr Iyer chose CA as his career.
But they continued their time tested bond. Dr Kalam came to Alappuzha twice to see Mr Iyer, It was in October, 2004, that Dr Kalam came to Alappuzha to attend the centenary hall foundation stone laying ceremony of SDV school during which he reconnected with his old pal. Later in 2010, Dr Kalam called on Iyer at his home Kalilasam here during a visit to Kerala.
But instances of their long-standing friendship does not stop here. Mr Iyer and family went to New Delhi and spent a day in Dr Kalam’s house on May 6, 2010.
“It’s a great loss to me particularly as we were about to meet after a long time. For me, he was not only a classmate but also because I was proud to know him. He loved all. Though he his left me physically, the remembrances of the days he has left with me will forever be cherished by me.
