From a book I'd read a few years ago:
May 2006. 'You know, Mr Nair, my relations are coming for a week or ten days. Please ensure that it is kept totally private and there is nothing official about it.' It was Kalam telling me about the upcoming visit of fifty-two of his relations starting from his elder brother who was ninety years old, right down to a one-and-a-half-year-old great- grand nephew. I knew he meant every word of what he said.
They came; they stayed for eight days. They went to Ajmer Sharif; the younger ones went shopping in Delhi too. And then they left.
Extraordinarily, not once, not even once was an office vehicle used. Specially as it was such a large number of people. Kalam paid rent for the rooms occupied by them in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Even each cup of tea was paid for by him! The bill came to Rs. 3.52 lakh, and was paid by the President from his pocket. He didn't publicize it, but I mention it now because I think people should know. I hope he won't mind my mentioning it. After the Thodupuzha incident where I could not stand in front of my father, here I stand now in respectful salute to this man and what he showed me in his unassuming way.
There are several other examples. Perhaps even better ones. I will mention one that comes to mind. November 2002. Ramzan time. Fasting, ending in festive Iftaar dinners. Kalam, a devoutly religious man, asked me, 'Mr Nair, why should we have this Iftaar dinner? In any case, the persons who are invited to these dinners are already well- fed. Why waste money? How much do you spend on this?' I said I would get back to him since it was the first time I was overseeing the Iftaar dinner.
I called the Comptroller of the Household and asked for details. He said the cost would be close to Rs. 2.5 lakh for the dinner.
I informed the President. He thought for some moments. 'Why don't we give this money to orphanages? What do you think?' 'Absolutely fine, sir. God will be grateful to you.' I answered.
'You choose the orphanages,' he told me. 'Please ensure that the money is not wasted,' he added.
He had a glint in the eye. I knew what he meant. I was to ensure that the material was distributed to orphanages on the basis of need and proper utilization without basing the choice on religion or sect.
I organized teams. No money was to be given. Rice, flour, pulses and blankets and sweaters were purchased and the teams went to twenty-eight orphanages and distributed them. The children were pleased. I reported the bare facts to Kalam.
But there was another surprise in store.
He called me again. I was alone with him in the room. He looked around and said, 'You have given all that material with government money. I want to give my own money for Iftaar. I am giving you a cheque for Rs. 1 lakh from my personal account. You use it the way you did with the government money, but don't tell anyone that I gave this money.'
I used the amount in the same judicious way as I used the government money.
I admit I did tell others about his gift from his personal account, though.
RIP, Dr. Kalam. India is lucky to have seen you.