MY INTERACTIONS WITH DR. A.P.J.

My first interaction with Dr. Kalam happened in the year 1999. The Planning commission had organized a conference "Designing India as a Knowledge society." Fifty persons from different walks of life were invited. Compared to most others of eminence I was a dwarf. Dr. K. Venkatasubramanian, former VC of Pondicheri Central University was the Member of the Planning commission at that time and he was the nucleus of the program. Sh. K.C. Pant was the vice chairman of the commission.

I was asked to present a paper from the school education side and my session was attended by nearly 40 eminent persons and Dr.APJ, the then scientific Advisor to the Government was presiding over this session..The table was a long oval table and I was seated right opposite to DR APJ..

While i was presenting my topic, I urged the need for digitalizing the knowledge sources of the country and I said "We need a knowledge warehouse." He stared at me and said "Stop, Stop.."

"What are you hinting at? Libraries?"

I said "No sir, we need to go into the digital mode for securing the knowledge sources of India lasting over the last few thousand years and  need to preserve them of posterity."

He said "good idea.. go on..."

A few minutes later when I used the word "Knowledge encapsulation" he desired that I should explain that further..

I said that " the content of Knowledge needs to simplified, made accessible and ready for easy consumption through small capsules of knowledge"..

He smiled and tapped the table..

At the end, when we were sharing a coffee, he patted the back and said "that was a good presentation."  I was thrilled...

A few years later,  I had published my first book "Mindscaping education". He had just then taken over as the President of India.. I wondered whether I should send a copy to him and whether or not, he would even acknowledge it.  But I dared to send a copy...

Two days later, when I was sitting in the office, my secretary called me on the intercom and said "Sir, there is a call from the President's office." I was shocked and took the telephone.

A senior official called me and said " Are you Mr. Balasubramanian?'"

I said "Yes sir..."

"The President wants to talk to you..." I started sweating..

On the phone was the President "Are you the same Balasubramanian who came for the meeting of the planning commission?"

His memory was so sharp..  I replied "Yes sir.."

" I thought so. thanks for the book. I have read it.. I was impressed by two chapters. I am sending a letter .. Ok.. Keep it up..."

Next day I got a letter from the courier..

The contents are as under:

                                                                Rastrapati Bhavan

                                                                New Delhi 110004

                                                                02 November 02

"Dear Shri Balasubramanian,

        

Thank you for your letter dated 31st october, 02 enclosing therewith your book "Mindscaping Education.". I liked particularly the two topics - Empowering Thinking in Schools and Virtual schools.

My greetings and best wishes to you

                With regards,

                                                        yours sincerely,

                                                    (A.P.J. Abdul Kalam)

His speed of acknowledging the works of others was a great lesson to me!

Two years later, he was the Chief guest for the National conference of Sahodaya complexes.. The security was quite tight. Though as the Director of the Board, I was involved in organizing the conference, I could not move anywhere except being seated in the Front row.

After delivering his speech, as he came down, he was mobbed by many principals.. the security people were anxious.. they were trying to keep them away.. he just walked down to the sofa where i was seated.. i stood up. He smiled " Balasubramanian.. am I right?"  I was dumbfounded... The photographer clicked when he was asking some question about school examination system? and the photo is something.. which I fondly dedicate today to the great soul!