At the recently opened memorial to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram, there’s plenty to see and learn about the Missile Man of India. But for Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, it was his shoes and slippers that caught her attention most.
Visiting the memorial on Thursday, Bedi seems to have been most struck by Kalam’s simplicity and frugality in life.
Tweeting about her visit, Bedi highlighted the way Kalam had lived a life of minimalism, a quality that remained undiminished in him through all the celebrated and powerful positions he held.
For proof of this simplicity, Bedi showed pictures of Kalam’s worn-out slippers and shoes. The slippers, she said, were in Kalam’s suitcase on his last journey to Shillong, and pointed out, “See how worn out they were and had even been repaired.”
Her tweets were appreciated by other Twitter users, who also lauded Kalam’s simple lifestyle.
From Dr Kalam's Memorial in Rameshwaram.
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) September 1, 2017
Most Igniting. Most Moving. pic.twitter.com/V8lTmgXhlI
These Chappals of Dr Kalam were in the suitcase of his last journey to Shillong. ( See how worn out they were and had even been repaired) pic.twitter.com/XjJoxBjhNE
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) September 1, 2017
Rich must live so simply that poor may simply live. He has lived that .
— Avanish Rai (@iAvanishRai) September 1, 2017
Someone should learn simplicity from this person.A true gem that India was fortunate enough to have.
— Amit Gautam (@agautam1052) September 1, 2017
Rarely a soul of the stature of Dr Abdul Kalam descends on this mortal earth who gained respect for simplicity not for being the President.
— Bishwa Kalyan Pati (@Bishwa7476) September 1, 2017
Mr kalam is big loss for india.. We missed a lot of lessons which can be learnt from him.. with tears in eye.. his soul RIP
— Avanish Dwivedi (@avanish_dwivedi) September 2, 2017
An honest & true Indian. His high thinking & simple living is an #Inspiration for all. #Salute #JaiHind
— Hani Jain (@HaniJhanjhari) September 2, 2017
Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance....simplicity another name for APJ Abdul Kalam....Noble Soul Never Dies..........
— Shagun Rajput (@ShagunRajput12) September 1, 2017
Speaking to reporters during her visit to the Memorial, Bedi had said, “The country requires to have 500 million Kalams, the population of youth in the country to take the country forward. Mr Kalam, who led a simple life, was an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom, and dedicated his life to the development of the country. The late leader, who came out with Vision 2020, wanted the youth to take the lead.”
Kalam suffered a cardiac arrest while he was delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong on July 27, 2015, and passed away.
Known as the ‘People’s President’, Kalam held the high office from 2002 to 2007. He was known for his rigour in science and academics and held honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions.
It took two full years and massive public outrage before the grand memorial at his gravesite was finally built and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27 this year.