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In 1998, after failing my Intermediate examinations, I made a life-changing decision—to meet Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and seek guidance on science and climate-related ideas that had been occupying my mind. With limited resources and no formal appointment, I began my journey by train to Delhi.

Recalling that Dr. Kalam was associated with Sriharikota, I first travelled there and met Dr. Shanta, a Project Director at the facility. After listening to my intent, he kindly wrote down Dr. Kalam’s residential address and landline number in Delhi. With that note in hand, I proceeded to Delhi without a reservation.

Upon reaching New Delhi Railway Station, I went directly to the address. Security personnel at the residence initially refused entry. Despite repeated requests, I was informed that Dr. Kalam could not be disturbed at that hour. Determined to at least convey my intent, I requested the office assistant to inform Dr. Kalam that I wished to briefly discuss scientific ideas. Eventually, the message reached him.

A few minutes later, the office phone rang. Dr. Kalam himself spoke briefly and said only one sentence:

“Tomorrow, come to the office.”

That night, I slept in the railway station waiting hall. I had barely ₹70 with me. The next morning, after buying a ₹2 soap and bathing in the same clothes, I walked nearly six kilometers to South Block, Parliament Area—where Dr. Kalam was then serving as Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister of India.

After security verification and a visitor pass, I was escorted to a small room filled with files and books. After some preliminary questioning by senior officials, I was informed that meeting Dr. Kalam might not be possible. One of them was later identified as Rear Admiral S. Mahapatra, then Director of the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.

At that very moment, the door opened—and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam entered the room.

He greeted me warmly, shook my hand, and asked me to sit. For nearly 45 minutes, he spoke with me personally, asking about my parents, my background, and my interest in science. I shared my early thoughts on global warming and climate change. Dr. Kalam, in turn, explained concepts related to reusable launch vehicles and long-term scientific thinking.

He asked me to stay in his office for the rest of the day, gave me a greeting card, pens, and ₹500, and personally arranged a train ticket back to Visakhapatnam using his own funds. He also instructed his driver to drop me at the railway station in a government vehicle.

Before my departure, Rear Admiral S. Mahapatra gave me a signed note with the NSTL address and asked me to meet him in Visakhapatnam. With his encouragement, I later spent nearly two years (2003–2005) conducting independent research related to climate change, associated with NSTL.

Rear Admiral Mahapatra later went on to serve as Production Director of the BrahMos missile program. Until his final days, he continued to inquire about my research and remained a strong source of encouragement. Dr. Kalam held him in very high regard.

This early encounter with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam became a foundational moment in my scientific journey—instilling confidence, discipline, and a long-term vision that continues to guide my work today.