It was an emotional reunion for an ex-employee and his former boss.
When Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam arrived here on a state visit, little did he expect to catch up with his former driver T. Sella Perumal after three years.
Dr Abdul Kalam was yesterday on a visit to the Higher Colleges of Technology's Abu Dhabi Men's College to meet students when one of his colleagues, Gen (Retd) Swaminathan, drew his attention to a security guard on duty and said: "Look who's here."
When the President turned, he was stunned to see 41-year-old Perumal standing quietly in a corner. Breaking all protocol, Dr Abdul Kalam went up and enquired in his native Tamil language: "Enada, nalla erikia? Sandoshuma erika?" (How are you? Are you happy?)
Dr Abdul Kalam then turned to Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to introduce Perumal and said: "He is a very dedicated and honest worker." The President chatted with his ex-driver and asked him to pay a visit at his hotel later.
The words touched Perumal who, amidst tears of joy, told Gulf News later: "I read about Dr Abdul Kalam's visit to HCT today. I'm happy that I was on duty when he visited the college."
But Perumal was not so sure he could make it to the Indian President's hotel. Apart from Dr Abdul Kalam's tight schedule, he said, "I finish work at 6pm, which might be too late to see the President again."
Gulf News
