A differently abled tailor in this coastal town had the privilege of making the decorative cloth for the army vehicle which carried the mortal remains of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on the final journey on July 30.
R. Rabi Khan (51) had just returned from the Mandapam helipad after witnessing the arrival of Kalam’s body on July 29 when an army man brought a 10.5-metre-long cloth for making frills. He was in no mood to work and refused to take up the job.
But the moment the army man said it was for Kalam’s cortege, he sprang up and completed the work in two hours.
“I am in the profession for close to three decades and this was the profound moment in my life. Making the decorative cloth for Kalam was the most satisfying job in my career,” Mr. Khan told The Hindu on Monday.
The frill cloth he made was tied around the base of four sides of the army vehicle, on which the coffin was placed for the final journey. The army man had offered some good money for the work, but Mr. Khan refused to take it. “I was much privileged to do the work and I am painfully happy. I will cherish the moment all my life,” said Mr. Khan who was moved to tears.
Though he had briefly worked in a tailoring shop run by Kalam’s nephew in Pamban, he never had the opportunity to meet the People’s President. He saw Kalam only once when he came to Mandapam railway station last year to board a special train to travel across the Pamban rail bridge on the occasion of its centenary celebrations, he said.
A school dropout, this gents’ tailor owns a single 1989-make Rama sewing machine and works independently. His wife works in a marine export company to supplement family income.
