Our former President and national icon Dr. Kalam, had travelled to USA sometime in April this year by Continental Airlines. The flight was direct from Delhi to USA. Before boarding Dr. Kalam had been thoroughly checked by the security personnel of the airlines. It seems he was asked to remove his shoes which was also checked.
Dr. Kalam himself had not made any fuss about it and has replied in the affirmative when asked about the incident. But some of the politicians have gone overboard in condemning the incident. Meanwhile, the airlines maintains that it does not have any special list of people who need not be subjected to security checks, but only 100% screening of all passengers. But it will be interesting to know whether the former President Clinton a much travelled world leader after his retirment is put to such scrutiny, or people of similar stature especially by this airlines.
Dr. Kalam is known to be a simple person with high thinking. The grapevine is that but for him Sonia Gandhi would have become the PM. The dynasty sycophants must be gloating about the personal discomfiture that happened to
Dr. Kalam.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Clinton travels by his own Jet... so it's a different case.

Main issue is that India gives such a huge list of VIP's.. which includes CM's, their wives etc... so essentially the quality of the list has gone down the drain.

Also, when the rules between TSA and BCAS are not compatible, a common ground should have been achieved when airlines start direct flight between India and US.. that was not done then.. Dr. Kalam became the causality.

Another interesting point is, this week there was some report of Kalam having to walk around Amrita hospital in Kochi for 15 mintues or so looking for his car!! That hardly got the coverage this airline search got. It's all politics. Dr. Kalam himself dint seem to have minded the issue, but some politicians are just trying to score some points out of this!

Ask Mr. Kalam if he minded such an action by American Airlines, and if he says no, then time is ripe to mind our own business. About a bunch of Joker Indian polititians - less said the better. This also includes Indian media. Ah! Forget it...

Dr. Kalam definitely will not mind it. He is a very simple person as we know.

But the question here is the retired "BIG"guns in US also subjected to similar security checks?

If yes, none of us should mind it. If it is otherwise, then definitely every indian should mind it for this shameless act.

People like us should learn condemning such acts atleast in forums as Dr. Kalam has been a national pride and not just another "politician"!

For a thought provoking answer to those who oppose and agree with what Continental airlines did, please read this article"

http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/25/stories/2009072556080900.htm

I personally am of the belief that when all are equal, how can some be more equal?

I agree to your comment as long as all are equal.

Do you think all US citizens and indian citizens are considered equal in international level?

Retired US president and Retired Indian President considered equal?

I doubt it. The world knows and you know the fact too !

I agree with Fabpreet. If no damage is done to the person involved then we should get past it. There are higher priority things on table with US or for that matter for government. Infact, government of India should watch closely the US as they have been successful in preventing any Terror attacks after 9/11. There is something they are doing right.

We will get there eventually when our respectable are respected by them.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Manjeet Singh