This is the story Wg Cdr Nasir Hanfee (Rtd) Shared on our former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Nasir Hanfee is an ex Indian Air Force Helicopter Pilot and a Veer Chakra Awardee
The excerpts his view on Kalam I am giving you exactly what he wrote.
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| APJ Abdul Kalam |
27 July was the death anniversary of Dr Abdul Kalam, one of the greatest scientists India was fortunate to have. I can't resist sharing another story. This was back in 1998. Our PSLV missile programme was in full swing. But t was being done clandestinely to avoid detection by US spy satellites. The programme director was Dr APJ Abdul who we did not recognize at that time. The cryogenic engines used were secretly shipped to Chennai port from where they were airlifted by our heavy-lift helicopter...
If this helicopter was to fly straight from Chennai, it would have taken only 2 hours to reach the launch site. But to avoid detection by US satellites, a zigzag route was worked out involving log halts at unscheduled places.
A 2-hour flight due to this would take us 8 hrs of flying and 8 hours' halt but ensure no detection- a small price to pay
Due to heavy load, our passenger carrying capacity was significantly reduced. We were able to carry only 12 supporting staff from missile programme, including 2 sweepers to sweep and mop the constantly leaking fuel and oil from the cryogenic engine. All 12 names were approved from the highest echelon of the government of India and the director was allowed only to change 2 sweepers if required.
on the day of our departure, a gentleman with long grey hair approached us " I have missed my flight and I have no choice but to travel with you al because I am required at launch site" We had to refuse him because the names were cleared from high up and we could neither make any changes, nor carry any extra passenger.
Just when we were about to start up, this man came to us running" Captain, the project director has kindly agreed to replace a sweeper with me. Here is authorisation. Please take me on board" The Captain said OK and he jumped on board like a happy child.
Our second half was about 4 hours long. As we were sipping our tea, we saw this sweeping and wiping the floor. We saw some of the senior scientists ran to him and have animated conversation but he continued doing his job.
One of the scientists then approached the Captain and requested him to order the sweeper not sweep! Sir! he is our project director. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and you have to stop him please" We were shell shocked. The Captain approached him but he simply said: " I am travelling in the capacity of a sweeper and no one can stop me from doing my job."
At a loss as to how to deal with this situation, we remained a passive spectator. On our next halt too, he did his duty. His simplicity bold us over.
We dropped the men and machine at drop site and bid him goodbye.
Many years later I received an invitation from the President's house to visit Mughal GArdens to see how much work he had done on it and judge if he was a better maali(Gardner) or a better sweeper. I sent my regrets as I was out of the country.
I met him after he retired as the President and he remembered the episode.
Tributes to one of the Greatest Indians I have ever met.
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