Few leaders in modern times captured the imagination of the people the world over as Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela did during his eventful life of 95 years. As in life so in death, Mandela went down fighting as the end came finally on December 6, 2013, months after he very nearly died.

Mandela's charisma perhaps matched that of Mahatma Gandhi with whom he shared a record of waging a largely peaceful war for freedom from foreign rule. His idealistic image matched that of Che Guevara, the Argentine Marxist revolutionary, who, however, used violent means and suffered a gory end in Bolivia. In inspiration, Mandela matched Winston Churchill, who roused a badly battered Britain through his stirring speeches to face the might of Germany, Italy and Japan during World War II.

A shining symbol Mandela was also a great friend of the living legend, the Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959 had inspired the young black leader.

The Anti-apartheid crusader later acknowledged Cuba's military support to Angola in the 1970s and 1980s, and credited it with playing a role in weakening South Africa's Government enough to grant legalisation of his party, the African National Congress, in 1990. Mandela visited Cuba in 1991 and had an emotional meeting with Castro.

Perhaps no other leader in modern history troubled the global conscience as Mandela did as he remained languishing in jail for close to 30 years in the minority white-ruled apartheid regime in South Africa.

No wonder, the father of free black South Africa occupied newspaper space and TV hours continually since the fateful day in March 1960 when 69 black anti-apartheid demonstrators were killed by police at Sharpeville. Arrested and sentenced to five years in jail, he was tried for plotting to overthrow government by violence in 1963. In 1964, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Ever since, Mandela stayed a silent, but shining symbol of the struggle against apartheid.

India’s friend India was at the forefront of the global voice raised for the release of the black leader. The white regime in Pretoria found the international political pressure too much to resist and finally released Mandela in 1990.

As one who closely followed the events surrounding the anti-apartheid struggle at the news desk of Press Trust of India since 1973, Mandela constantly occupied my thoughts. As a defiant white regime remained interminably unresponsive to calls for Mandela’s release and an end to apartheid, one lost hopes that the black leader would ever come out of jail and see the outside world. India's contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle is well known, and Mandela had a special place in his heart for this country.

The Indian Government lost no time in honouring the leader and chose him for the Bharat Ratna award the year Mandela was released from jail. Mandela travelled to India that year, perhaps, his first destination abroad since his release.

The Bharat Ratna Naturally, before and during his visit, there was excitement throughout the country, especially so in the media. My own thrill was palpable when I was asked to cover the Bharat Ratna ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

After the impressive and emotional occasion where Mandela received glowing tributes and a standing ovation from the gathering, it was time for customary refreshments. Journalists covering the event rushed towards the anti-apartheid hero. Mandela was savouring masal vada and coconut chutney in the company of President R. Venkataraman. RV explained to Mandela in minute detail the ingredients of the south Indian dish and its preparation. “How does it taste?” I asked the Bharat Ratna. “Delicious,” replied Mandela, helping himself to another vada .

I wanted to get the autograph of the great leader and found nothing better than the invitation card of the Bharat Ratna ceremony. As I handed the card to him, Mandela obliged, smilingly.

The author is a former deputy editor with PTI.

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