Signature to Autograph

Rameswaram had undergone so much change, but one structure stood as it was — the old seaside government school, its salt-weathered walls still resonating with children's laughter and the aspirations of generations.

When Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the current President of India, came to his alma mater, the whole town came in hushed reverence. Among the students and faculty was Saravanan, a young science teacher, eyes shining with anxious excitement. He had read all the books by Dr. Kalam, and today he had an opportunity to pose the one question that was most important to him.

As the audience fell silent, Saravanan  moved forward and inquired, "Sir, at what point can one claim to have achieved success in life?"

Dr. Kalam gazed at the same blackboard he used to write on as a barefoot boy. He smiled, then picked up a piece of chalk and made a simple mark.

Success," he told him, "is not riches, or popularity alone. Success is when your autograph — the stamp of your name — is an autograph — a mark of inspiration."

He stopped, and stared into Saravanan's eyes.

"That means your existence has impacted people in such a manner that they want to recall you, not what you do. That's when you know — you've become useful, significant, irrepressible.

A sudden round of applause erupted. A young boy sitting close to Saravanan  leaned forward and whispered, "One day, I want to sign autographs too."

Dr. Kalam overheard it, smiled warmly, and gave the boy his own pen.