Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, fondly known as the ‘People’s President’, shared his thoughts on the ‘power of a strong society and how best it can be leveraged in today’s environment’. He was addressing a jam-packed audience of students at the Indira Institute of Commerce and Science, at an event organised by CII’s India@75.
A scientist, an orator, an author, a poet and above all a visionary, Dr Kalam had envisioned a developed India by 2020 built by and for the youth of this nation. During his speech, Dr Kalam said that “the ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth, under the earth and above the earth. If you have an aim in life, continuously acquire the knowledge, work hard with confidence to win and have the courage to defeat problems and succeed with a righteous heart; you will definitely succeed in all your missions”. He highlighted Agriculture and Food processing, Education and Healthcare, Information and Communications Technology, Infrastructure, Reliable and Quality Power, and Self Reliance on Critical Technologies as important pillars in order to achieve an inclusive, sustainable and developed India by 2020 – an ideology and mission that is in complete consonance with the work being carried out by CII, India@75 and Young Indians.
He suggested to the students, gathered from different colleges across the city, to select one important task pertaining to any of the ten pillars enshrined in his Vision Document 2020, as per their interest and core competence. Dr Kalam mentioned that by doing so the students could become significant partners in national development.
There was a surprise in store for Dr Kalam when a student asked him whether Mr Anna Hazare losing mass support would impact the anti-corruption movement in the country. While replying, Dr Kalam said that corruption is a deep-rooted sociological phenomena which needs to be eradicated, beginning from our homes. “We should have the courage to remove corruption beginning from our homes itself.”
While answering questions on the role of Information Technology, Dr Kalam reiterated that IT has to work in tandem with other advanced technologies in order to find alternatives for problems in the agricultural sector. He also said that in the years to come, technology will have a crucial role in addressing the growing food grain demand in the country.
“Each one of you should follow the pillars in making India a nation where there is no crime against women and children, no rural-urban divide and equal opportunities in terms of education and health care. I do hope India@75 provides a bridge to the youth to contribute”, said Dr Kalam while drawing parallels between CII, India@75 and India Mission 2020 which according to Dr Kalam is also meant to influence the youth to work hard in the run up to the year 2020, to transform India.
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