Strive to become unique: Kalam to youth

Nagpur, July 31: Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam giving a mantra of success to the youth asked them to develop a 'unique personality' in them. Studnets should aspire to be unique by adopting four tools -- have a great aim in life, seek knowledge continuously, hard work and realise the great achievement.

The ‘Missile Man’ as he is popularly known for his contribution to the Indian misslile program, Dr Kalam was delivering a talk on "Transforming India through Science and Technology". The program was organized by Vijnana Bharati, Vidarbha unit, at Maharshi Vyas Sabhagriha in Dr Hedgewar Smriti Mandir premises, Reshambag here on Tuesday.

Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani was the chief guest. RSS functionary Dr Ravindra Joshi, MD Baidyanath Group Suresh Sharma, Vijnana Bharati Secreatary General Jayakumar, Organising Secretary Jayantrao Sahasrabuddhe, Vidarbha unit president Dr Sriram Jyotishi, Secretary Prof Sanjay Wate, and Program Coordinator Dr Parag Nimishe shared the dais on the occasion.

Interacting with the students from various colleges of Nagpur, Dr Kalam said "everybody around you will try to make you just another person. But, remaining unique is the biggest challenge and perhaps the toughest battle. To win this battle you will have four tools. They are: big aim, hard work, dedication and inspiration. These four tools will provide you conducive atmosphere to become unique".

Giving examples of Prof S Chandrasekhar, Michael Faraday, Thomas Alva Edison, Sir Humphrey Davis, Wright brothers, Alexander Graham Bell, Sir C V Raman and Madam Mary Curry Dr Kalam said "what set these persons apart from other was their vision, passion to accomplish the mission, ability to manage success and failure alike and spirit of working and succeeding with integrity. They had achieved a perfect balance of discipline and technology. The problem with most others was that they did not know how to manage failures".

"Our country is going through the 'Fifth Nation Syndrome', the Missile Man said emphasizing the need to 'break this through innovation'. The country must strive to occupy the 'Number One slot". Now we need to go beyond that syndrome and be Number One, he added.

Dr Kalam also urged the youths to develop the culture of excellence to achieve their goals in life. The youths will have to set their targets and work to fulfil their dreams with focus by taking calculated risks, face the failures bravely and march on to the path of fulfilment with determination.

Dr Kalam called for fusion of indigenous traditional knowledge and new science and technology which he described as 'need of the hour'. He said that such a fusion would help our country to eradicate poverty, save environment and ecology and congratulated the Vijnana Bharati for their efforts to achieve this fusion.

Dr Kalam said that a new trend of sustainable development is emerging fast in the world. In 21st Century science and environment will go together and new age model would be based on four dimensions of bio-nano-info and eco technology.

Dr Kalam also answered a few question of students. The questions related to his failure in pilot entrance test, less allocation for defence, education and humanitarian aspects of education and technology and progress. He administered an oath to the students.

Irani reiterates Govt resolve to improve education: Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani in her address reiterated the BJP-led NDA Government resolve to improve the overall standard of education in India. She said that the government had already increased the budgetary allocation for education and expressed its desire to accord high priority to research and development.

Underlining her government's achievements in the field of education and human resources, Irani said that the government would launch a website of MHRD on August 14 for promoting new inventions and research in the country. This website would provide opportunities to young students for their innovative ideas.

She also said that the government was toying with the idea of launching Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan to tap the research potential of the country.

The government would also launch Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya teachers training program at the national level to train teachers and inculcate in them dedication towards their profession.

She said that the government plans to frame a national education policy and will organise state-wide debates to get suggestions before implementation.

Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtr Sevika Samiti Shantakka, Karyavahika Seethakka, former Pramukh Sanchalika Pramilatai Medhe, former MP Banwarilal Purohit, senior RSS functionary Dr Manmohan Vaidya, DrShankar rao Tattvaadi, Dr MaheshKumar Yenki, former Pro-VC of Nagpur University and many others were present on the occasion.

Earlier Dr Kalam and Smriti Irani visited the 'Samadhi' of RSS Founder Dr Hedgewar and his successor Golwalkar Guruji and paid floral tributes.