Think, what you will be remembered for and act accordingly: Dr Kalam

* Former President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam’s inspiring speech draws curtains on Golden Jubilee year celebrations of Dr Ambedkar College

* Dr Kalam laments that students are in stress as today’s education does not give confidence to them, appeals universities to be powerhouses

By Kartik Lokhande 

How to inspire one to find self? There could be many suggestions in answer to this question. But, strikingly simple and the most effective way is to ask one to think what he or she will be.

This is precisely what an erudite person of a tall stature and equally deep simplicity like Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, former President of India, does. Tuesday was one such occasion, when Nagpurians of different age groups took home the message of discovering themselves. For, Dr Kalam inspired them to think about it.

“Everyone has a page in history for him or her. It is for that person to decide what he or she wants to fill that page with. For the purpose, one needs to first identify what he or she will be remembered for. When you go home today, write down your thoughts on the simple topic ‘What I will be remembered for?’ and act accordingly,” said an energetic Dr Kalam, who received standing ovation and loud applause on his arrival on the dais.

Addressing the packed-beyond-capacity Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Hall here at the valedictory function of Golden Jubilee year celebrations of Dr Ambedkar College-Nagpur (DACN), the Bharat Ratna recipient enlightened the audience about their duties towards the nation. During the process, he asked questions to the members of the audience, asked them to repeat various lines after him to get them committed to cause, and also brought home ground realities.

Justice Bhushan R Gavai; Anoop Kumar, Divisional Commissioner and officiating Vice-Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University; Sadanand Fulzele, Secretary Parampujya Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti that runs DACN; Dr K M Reddy, Principal of DACN also shared the dais on this occasion. 

Bharat Ratna Dr A P J Abdul Kalam speaking at the valedictory function of Golden Jubilee year celebrations of Dr Ambedkar College, on Tuesday. Also seen are Anoop Kumar, officiating Vice-Chancellor of RTMNU; Justice Bhushan R Gavai, Sadanand Fulzele, and Principal Dr K M Reddy. (Pic by Anil Futane)

Recollecting his interaction with students previously, the ‘Missile Man of India’ said that everyone had potential and wings to fly. After asking the gathering to recite a poem ‘I will fly’ after him, Dr Kalam lamented that students were in stress as the education was not giving them confidence that they ‘can do it’. Today, he said, technology had brought the diverse world together and had opened up possibility of taking education to borderless world. “This era is knowledge-based. Today, knowledge is power. Hence, universities will be powerhouses,” observed the scholar who has got 47 honorary doctorates from various universities.

Elaborating how the world had changed, Dr Kalam said that previously leaders commanded and controlled and now leaders empowered and coached; previously employees took orders and now teams worked; previously seniority decided position and now creativity decided it. “In this situation, youth should vow that they will work and succeed with integrity,” he said. Referring to general wish that India should become corruption-free, he appealed to every citizen to see how their own families were corruption-free. Youth had many opportunities in today’s world, and hence they needed to put in hard work and strong determination to become real leaders in whatever field they chose for themselves.

Sharing his cherished dream of making the country a superpower ‘India: 2020’, Dr Kalam said that India needed to concentrate on five sectors to become a transformed and economically developed country. These five sectors included agriculture and food processing, education and healthcare, information and communication technology, quality electric power, and self-reliance in critical technology. To achieve this goal, he urged the youths to dream big, work with integrity, and bring glory to nation through their every action.

Earlier, at the outset, the guests garlanded the portraits of Lord Gautam Buddha and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Fulzele and Dr Reddy felicitated Dr Kalam and presented him memento and scroll of honour. Dr Reddy, in her introductory remarks, threw light on the 50 years’ glorious journey of DACN and spoke on various activities held during the year to mark Golden Jubilee year of the college. Fulzele recollected Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar embracing Buddhism at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur in 1956, and Dr Ambedkar memorial at the place.

Varsha Deshpande conducted the proceedings and also proposed a vote of thanks. The programme concluded with National Anthem.

Dr Kalam’s answers to questions of students

At the end of his speech, Dr Kalam asked the students present in Deshpande Hall to ask him a few questions. Most of the students did not say their names but their questions were answered by Dr Kalam.

Question by Anupam: Sir, how did you manage to be President of India, scientist, writer at a time?

Dr Kalam: Have one aim at a time or nothing great will come out. You should resolve to have a great aim, acquire adequate knowledge, not be afraid of any problem, and succeed.

Question by girl student Shivankar: Why do companies judge a student based on ranking of a college and not by his own abilities?

Dr Kalam: Though ranking could be one criteria applied by some, it is not the sole criteria. Companies come, interview candidates, and judge their abilities. Without interaction, nobody judges a student. This is a competitive world, and you have to compete.

Question: Sir, why did not you opt for second term as President of India?

Dr Kalam: I wanted to be a teacher. See how many people I reach visiting schools and colleges. 

(29-07-14)