A Memorable Incident

All great people value time. I was posted in Kuwait in the 1980s. One day, I saw a small news in a local newspaper that Dr. Abdus Salam was visiting Kuwait. I said to myself that I must try and meet him. I was able to contact him on the phone. After introducing myself, I requested him to grant me a short meeting. He was kind enough to grant my wish and asked me to come the next day at 3:51 P.M.

Dr. Abdus Salam was staying at Sheraton Kuwait. Out of excitement, I arrived 10 minutes earlier than the appointed time and sent my visiting card at about 3:45 P.M.—6 minutes earlier than the time I was given. To my amazement, I got my card back with a note saying: “Your time is 3:51 P.M.” No doubt I was called in exactly at the appointed time.

This incident left a profound effect on me and taught me the value of time forever.