It’s overwhelming to read the words of
fondness pouring out from all parts of the country in memory of one man. Many
of us were not around when Gandhi died, so to witness affection on a mass scale
for a departed leader is indeed a novel experience.
Why is Kalam evoking such strong national
reactions, all positive? Is it because he helped build a nuclear missile? Is it
because he connected with kids? Is it because he was inspirational? Or is it because
he was India’s president for one term? The last appears implausible, Indian
presidents aren’t taken seriously at all, most have been gold studded rubber
stamps. (Pratibha Patil would top the list.)
I think the hysterical adulation is
because of other reasons. The key one being this: He was the kind of leader
that contemporary India aspires for but has failed to get. Talented, honest, passionate
about his work, passionate about his country, a leader who wore his heart on the
sleeve. Kalam reached the pinnacle of success, but remained completely rooted
right till his last breath. This is what made the masses connect with him; he
was one of us. Sadly for India, we haven’t had leaders like that. We have had
netas who fit into one of these categories: Accused of mass murder. Accused of
corruption. Accused of sloth. Accused of immorality. And accused of nation
division. Kalam was the silver lining that shone in the proverbial dark cloud.
And naturally therefore, we all want a piece of him.
The other reason is he embodied the original
idea of India, the foundation on which this nation was built. That you will be
judged purely on your talent and integrity, regardless of what your religion,
caste or linguistic background is. Even as a deeply divided nation, a nation
that carries many prejudices, we all come together today to mourn the loss of
one Indian. This is because deep down inside, every Indian wants to believe in
the original idea of India. An idea that has got corrupted because we never got
the leaders we deserve. Leaders like APJ Kalam.
Rest in peace.
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