29.July.2005
I have never seen my little town of Kodungallur like this before! Since the Romans, Greek, Jews and Christians came and dispersed out of this old port town located close to the Arabian sea in Thrissur District of Kerala, it was quiet and subdued for centuries. Even the pre and post-independence years hardly saw any zest in this ancient port. But it was to change on the day – 29thJuly 2005. It was on that day I saw my little town in its enriched form. The rains had already cleansed its sky and earth alike. Its roads, even those unnamed ones, were black polished and embellished with white lines. Trees wore a neatly trimmed look. There came new podiums, temporary sheds and all along I saw herds of security guarding every nook and corner.
All this is for that occasion which no one in this town had ever witnessed. Yes, this is for the first time the President of our Nation is visiting our modest town. And it is not just any President. It is none other than Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.
The welcome he got was unprecedented - probably something not seen in the entire history of Kodungallur. Many, including me, took off from their work for this special day. Those from nearby places came down early not to miss a moment of the day. People, young and old, battling the heavy down pour, were seen thronging all over the roads, trees, fences or wherever they could hang on. For the first time they were there not for any petty politics, religious rage or festival clamor. They were there just to get sanctified by the glimpse of a true Indian.
And they did get sanctified indeed. A.P.J was as prompt as he ever is. By 7:15 pm, in a white ambassador he came down waving to the crowd in his disarming smile. The crowd followed him all along – at the school, through the road – they were all cheering for him – the entire atmosphere reverberated in an unusual nationalistic spirit! After a short function in the government school he reached Cheraman Juma Masjid along with Godavarma Raja, the head of erstwhile Kodungallur Royal Family. Soon we heard his voice resonating from the first mosque of India echoing the spirit of secularism. After spending almost an hour, it was time for the convoy to start the journey back. For one last time, we rushed through the crowd, went as close as we could to have yet another glimpse of that great soul. The atmosphere brimmed with the chants "Bharat Mata Ki Jai". Those divine hands waved once again. That smile, reflecting the pinnacle of humanism, blossomed one more time. The proud feeling of being Indian was spreading through our nerves.
"I am indeed inspired and with reverence I visit and do Al Fatiha in the Cheraman Masjid. I pray for peace and prosperity of our Nation." - Kalam wrote in the visitor’s book, in a fitting finale to his three-day Kerala visit.
29.July.2015
Exactly a decade has passed. In the calendar that date has come up again. This modest town had again gone quiet since that blessed day except for any political, religious or festive reasons. But today, the silence is more pronounced. Other than the chirp of few birds, motoring vehicles, tilting breeze and subdued prayers in the mosque it has gone into utmost silence. Above somewhere in the south sky, an army helicopter is rumbling on its way to Rameswaram. It is carrying the mortal remains of Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.
Time has come a full circle for our little town.
