RIP APJ Abdul Kalam: How IAS, IPS, IFS officers remember this former President

Joint Secretary Usha Padhee with Kalam (File photo)

WHEN the news surfaced on Monday evening that India’s Missile Man and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam died in Shillong aged 83, a number of sitting and former bureaucrats took to social media platform to express their condolences, narrating their earlier associations with the man who dreamed big for the nation. 1996 batch IAS Usha Padhee released her photo with Kalam. Read more to know about the IAS who received his graduation certificate from Dr Kalam, the IFS officer who once organized Kalam’s visit to Sydney and the officer who chose to tweet a Sanskrit verse on Kalam's farewell:

#dr. apj kalam, Grtest human being of our time. Irrecoverable loss. Remembering few interaction with him.pic,Nov14. --- Usha Padhee, 1996 batch Odisha cadre IAS and joint secretary, ministry of civil aviation

I was DG NACO when he was President. He wanted me to brief him on AIDS situation almost every quarter. Always incisive, ready with notes…A youth motivator par excellence, he readily agreed to be ECI's brand ambassador for voter participation. Results were dramatic. -- Dr SY Quraishi, former IAS and former Chief Election Commissioner

I feel proud and humble that 15 years back I received graduation degree from hands of this great man. His life and thoughts always inspired me and will continue to do so. May he always remain the guiding star for our lives.--- Kuldip Narayan, 2005 batch Bihar cadre IAS

Keeping @APJAbdulKalam in prayers...Get well soon. ..(when the first news about his hospitalization came)…RIP. .great loss to the nation ----Rama Rajeswari, IPS and deputy commissioner of police, Cyberabad (Hyderabad)

The people’s President is no more. A great loss. I had heard his highly inspiring lecture on “India 2020” in Goa more than 10 years back.--- Muktesh Chander, 1988 batch IPS and head, Delhi Traffic Police unit.

I had the honour to organize a Sydney visit of Dr. Kalam. Have very fond memories of interacting with him. Farewell, sir.--- Vivek Kumar, 2004 batch IFS

A combination of brilliance, simplicity, dedication and humility. May his beautiful soul rest in peace #AbdulKalam --- Priya R, Indian Diplomat, Brussels

Homage to - A great leader, A great teacher. RIP Dr. #AbdulKalam, Former President of India --- Dr Sumit Seth, IFS

Inspiration.Icon.People’s President.---Arti Dogra, 2006 batch Rajasthan cadre IAS

The NobleSoul who symbolized the infinite humanity, transcended all restrictions and barriers for betterment of society and had best of the virtues.---- Jogaram, Rajasthan cadre IAS and Commissioner JDA Jodhpur

APJ Abdul Kalam-A man who lived and died doing what he loved--Inspiring us to dream and realise our dreams for this nation! Salute! Shanti: Maranam prakritih shareerinaam vikritirjeevitamuchyatebudhaih -- Mahakavi Kalidasa, Raghuvamsam --- Dr Divya Iyer, 2014 batch Kerala cadre IAS