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IndiaPosted at: Jul 30 2015 12:37PM


When Kalam made big bang presence at CERN & undertook “pilgrimage” to Einstein’s house

By Neeraj Bajpai New Delhi, Jul 30 (UNI) He was a human being par excellence and down to earth in approach with no qualms of being an internationally acclaimed scientist enjoying massive goodwill among masses. For APJ Abdul Kalam, his plethora of titles had no meaning and he was at ease in interactions with high flying celebrities to people on the streets. Other day, a request was made by an author from Karnataka that a UNI photographer should be sent to Kalam’s residence at 10, Rajaji Marg, for his book release function. The writer entered Kalam’s room with his auto rickshaw driver who was eager to have the former president’s “Darshan”. APJ released the book and was introduced to the auto rickshaw driver. He obliged the driver with a photograph with him. The agency’s staffer, Jamal, could not restrain himself to have a picture with Kalam. Sensing that, Kalam posed for the picture with him, too. The photographer gave his card to him and APJ said, ''Jamal sahib, we should have a memorable picture.''A hesitant Jamal was taken by surprise. He was not daring to click pictures without his prior permission. The photo went viral on Facebook among Jamal’s acquaintances . Kalam’s simplicity and positivity was palpable when one was in his company and he never gave a feeling that he was so “big”. Interestingly, another news photographer from Mumbai was accompanying him to four countries tour in 2005, En route, the lens man made a request to fellow colleagues to get Kalam’s books signed by him.The tousle-haired President then emerged from his cabin and quickly autographed all books, being carried by the journalist who was persuaded by her mother-in-law to get Kalam’s signatures. She was his great fan like millions others. Autograph craze was infectious. Everyone on board the special aircraft, Tanjore, lined up for autographs. Without losing cool, Dr Kalam passionately obliged all of them. His personal staff stood in attendance, though it was typical of a scene that mid air autograph hunters were mobbing the President. Much to the surprise of all, Kalam did not hesitate to append his signature even on small paper slips and no one was left disappointed. His radiating personality made a big bang presence when he was hailed by scores of scientists at the CERN institute on France-Switzerland borders where experiments were under way to study the Big Bang theory and large Hadron colliders were being put up. Donning helmet, scientist Kalam went around the European organisation for nuclear research, better known as CERN, and mingled with scientists. Indian scientists craze for the 'missile man' there was at its peak when each of them wanted to have access to him. He was passionately inquiring about their personal welfare as well as research activities.The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world's largest and most powerful particle collider, the largest and most complex experimental facility ever built and Kalam evinced keen interest in the experiment, which he was told, would go a long way to unravel mysteries of the universe. A UNI correspondent recalled the simplicity and photographic memory of the President who was always a keen observer and used to ask simple questions to those who accompanied him on functions and tours. At a Defence Research and Development Organization function when he was boss of that institution, Dr Kalam asked this correspondent synonyms of his name. As he was told instantly five synonyms, Dr Kalam hugged him and remembered the incident even when he had become the President a few years later. At an auditorium at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, dozens of Nobel laureates had assembled to listen to Dr Kalam who gave a power point presentation. Many renowned scientists raised their hands and hurled questions. A smiling Kalam answered all queries and said “even if you want to ask more please send your query on my website”. He used to quote his website address before folding up , but his command on subjects floored his fans and critics alike as heads of states on such meets heard him in rapt attention and awe. Switzerland had declared May 26 as science day in honour of the President. Mr Anil Kakodar, then Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission was accompanying him. Bubbling with energy, Dr Kalam during his tour of Russia, Switzerland, Iceland and Ukraine, had frugal South Indian dishes. On a helicopter flight during the tour for a visit to a defence organisation, one of his staff was holding a small bag and when enquired it was disclosed that the box contained idlis & chutney. Journalists had noticed a crate with vegetables and bundles of curry leaves on board Air India’s Tanjore at the technical area at Palam airport , Much to surprise of media group, he used to walk into the aircraft enquiring,'' have you people taken juices and food, signalling quote and unquote sign on juices.'' It was during this trip, Dr Kalam had signed papers for imposition of President’s rule in a state after a call from then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh . Indian Space Research Organisation then chief G Madhavan Nair, who was travelling with him, was asked to produce pictures of the Alps taken by an Indian satellite, which were then gifted to his Swiss counterpart on a boat journey in Jungfrau. Dressed in traditional dresses, locals had gathered to catch glimpse of the much talked about embodiment of simplicity and intellect. Dr Kalam had paid a state visit to Switzerland from May 25-29, 2005, and was accompanied by Jagdish Tytler, then Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr Milind Deora, Member of Parliament, scientists and senior officials. Even after a decade, Milind recently recalled the visit and Kalam’s lively and enriching interactions. In Berne, An emotional Kalam described his visit to the house of renowned scientist and Nobel Laureate Albert Einstein as a "pilgrimage. "For me, visiting this house is nothing less than a pilgrimage," Kalam said later. Much to surprise of accompanying media, he climbed a very narrow staircase which led to the first floor where Einstein used to work on his famous `theory of relativity`.Kalam admired the things kept on the first floor and took a keen interest while closely watching those articles. It was a mesmerising sight when Kalam had a look at the suit that the great scientist had worn and also some of the photographs depicting Einstein`s life and his work that have been kept in the house. He quoted Einstein`s words about Mahatma Gandhi -- "generations to come will scarcely believe that such one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth". A poster quoting these words was also displayed on that day. The house was famous for Einstein`s six scientific works . In Reykjavik, Iceland, an Indian woman entrepreneur,running a famous India restaurant was engaged by the government there for authentic south Indian dinner and he was taking personal interest that media contingent be given a relaxing time as his tour had turned into an exhaustive, but newsworthy one. The media team took time in blue lagoon, leaving officials anxious at the Keflavik airport as Kalam was about to arrive. At the end of the trip, Kalam was clearly taken in by Reykjavik’s moon scaped landscape and geo-thermal and fish catching techniques there. His child like inquisitiveness was another hall mark of the towering personality. UNI NB RP 1235
Tags: #When Kalam made big bang presence at CERN & undertook “pilgrimage” to Einstein’s house
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