SIMPLICITY = KALAM

Kalam's sense of disproportion

New Delhi: Once during an event, President APJ Abdul Kalam refused to sit on a chair that was designated for him- because the chair was larger in size than the other chairs!
This was one of the several instances where Kalam’s actions became synonymous with simplicity and humanity, which was the hallmark of his public life – both as India’s top scientist and most loved President. At a convocation of IIT(BHU) Varanasi, Kalam was the chief guest and there were five chairs on the stage, the central one being for the President. The other four were designated for the top university officials.
Noticing his chairs being bigger in size than the others, Kalam refused to sit on it and offered the Vice Chancellor to sit instead, according to a published account. The VC couldn’t, obviously, and another chair was made available immediately for the “People’s President”.
Once, Kalam rejected the suggestion to put broken glass on the wall of a building that needed protection because it would be harmful for birds. This happened when Kalam was with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and his team was discussing options to secure the perimeter of a building that needed protection. Kalam reportedly said: “If we do that, birds will not be able to perch on the wall.”
When youngsters and teenagers sought a meeting with him, Kalam, who always wore a genial smile, not only obliged and gave them his precious time, but he also listened carefully to the ideas the kids had. Soon after it was declared that Kalam would be the next President in 2002, he visited a modest school to deliver a speech. His security detail was minimal, and he didn’t mind taking control of the situation when the power went off.
 

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