A cakewalk for the President at Raj Bhavan

BANGALORE: The bulletproof VIP suite Airavatha at Raj Bhavan was unusually quiet on Thursday night. The battery of security personnel of different sizes, shapes and Stars were sure that their high-profile guest was ready to retire for the day. The security gadgets stopped beeping signalling that the last man standing too had an audience with the top guest.
The man of the moment was then invited to cut the cake.President A P J Abdul Kalam, in his words, has just completed his 73rd orbit around the sun. What we all otherwise call it as the 74th birthday. This was surprise No. 2 for Kalam, after the students at the Mecca of Indian science IISc sang and presented him a huge cake soon after he addressed them on Thursday evening.
Knowing Kalam''s reluctance of being Mr Protocol, and his love to be Mr Down-to-earth, his friends at Airavatha kept the event short, but sweet. The small gathering made sure that India''s Dream Machine was at ease and never once his thought process and ignition channels were diverted by the prime time plum show.
Kalam ensured that everybody had their piece of cake and ate it too. Indeed he ensured that his return gift for the love and affection showered by his friends was wrapped in hospitality.
The midnight chill failed to penetrate the warmth inside the suite. Outside, the rain gods played the perfect tune that needs to accompany any birthday song.
As the President and his men retired for the day, the guests bade goodbye, it was cake time for all who were guarding Airavatha.