APJ Abdul Kalam congratulated cop shortly before he collapsed

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam congratulated a policeman for remaining vigilant through the 100-km drive from Guwahati to Shillong shortly before he collapsed at the IIM in the Megahalaya capital and died.

“As soon as he arrived at IIM-Shillong, our former President summoned one of our men who was standing throughout the 100-km drive in the pilot vehicle from the airport in Guwahati to Shillong,” said M Kharkrang, the superintendent of police of the East Khasi Hills.

“The constable got scared but broke into a smile when the great man congratulated him for being alert throughout the road trip,” Kharkrang told Hindustan Times.

“Kalam bothered to acknowledge the work of a constable who was there to ensure his security. This was truly a great man,” he added.

“What makes him truly great is his acknowledgement of the simple things in life done rightly.”Kalam arrived at the Indian Institute of Management guesthouse in Shillong at 5.40pm. He was delivering a lecture on “Creating a live-able planet” when he collapsed and was rushed to the nearby Bethany Hospital.

He was declared dead at 7.45pm by the hospital’s medical board.

The Meghalaya government declared a state holiday on Tuesday as as a mark of respect to Kalam.