Three Stalwarts

P.C.Alexander, the bureaucrat,

M.S.Swaminathan, the agriculture scientist,

A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, the space & nuclear scientist.

All the three were great personalities in their own ways. All the three were loyal and obedient public servants of the establishment in their respective fields. They were pretty close to the Prime Minsters of the day. They tried their level best to excel in their fields and enter the office of the President of India. Luck and circumstances enabled Dr Kalam only to occupy the post for five years although he was willing to serve a second term but the change of ruling party at the centre ensured his replacement by a pure politician.

In the case of Dr Kalam, the advantage was, he was a bachelor devoted to the science of military weaponry, space research and nuclear research, the latter two parts of which were very dear to the then Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, another bachelor, by the way. It also ensured the award of Bharat Ratna to this true Indian from Muslim Community. His devotion to the national cause through his consistent attempts, talks and writings earned the warmth of one and all and overwhelming connect with the student community till he breathed his last.

Of course as an administrator I too had a chance to find fault with his approach in certain matters. As the President of India he failed to dispose of the mercy petitions pending before him. He was a positive man with no desire to see the other side of the coin. Even his successor Ms. Pratibha Patil proved better in her assignment as the President. India needs doer and not a shirker on any ground whatsoever. Good or bad, you have to perform the duty. On one or two occasions he had to sign the bills sent by the Union Cabinet after his sending them back for reconsideration. As a citizen I expected him to resign on moral grounds rather than approving the same, looking to his stature and calibre. Well that was not to be. You need to have a very strong personality to say no to a wrong and unconvincing situation. Secondly I never saw him pursuing his pet theories and projects as a people's President with the chief ministers of this country whom he kept in high esteem and for whom he made PPP in person on the economic and social projects and programmes meant for those states in particular. It was very unfortunate of course.

No one could beat him however in 21st century so far in time utilisation for the welfare of this nation. May his soul rest in peace.

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