The day was July 27, 2015. There was a sense of shock and disbelief among the students and staff of the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, who were witness to former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam’s final moments when he collapsed while delivering a lecture.

The disbelief – that the “Missile Man” they looked up to was no more – was compounded by the fact that the former President was brimming with enthusiasm and energy till the time he passed away.

There was not the slightest hint of what was in store when Dr. Abdul Kalam, began his lecture to the second year students of IIM-Shillong, on ‘Creating a Livable Planet’.

Prepare for the Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the Universe.

About fifteen minutes into his speech, while sharing his experiences, he suddenly fainted and fell down, around 6.30 p.m. The medical officer of the IIM, tried to revive him but failed.

At the time of his death, Dr. Abdul Kalam was 83 years of age. Suddenly, the Angel of Death came to him and said: ‘Your period of living on planet earth was 83 years. Now you have to travel to another world: the world of the Hereafter.’

Death comes to everyone at “83 years”, a point of no return, destined for every man and woman. Successful is the one who awakens before his “83 years” are over! After their “83 years”, all are destined to appear before God. Wise is the one who tries to prepare himself for this moment. This is referred in the Quran as “The Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the Universe”. (83:6)