Dr. Kalam’s vision for India
Indians here should work for a better Australia, Dr. Kalam tells GAURAV PANDEY
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, one of India’s most loved presidents and a renowned scientist, is essentially a man of ideas. He speaks with honesty and absolute conviction. Dr. Kalam was gracious enough to share his views with Gaurav Pandey from Indian Link during his recent visit to Sydney.
IL: In India, the fruits of globalization have not reached the poor. What should be done to improve the lives of the most marginalised sections of India’s society?
Dr. Kalam: The problems are still there. In India, 700 million people, that is roughly 70% of the population, live in villages. So there is a need to provide facilities in villages which will aid their development. Therefore we have evolved a concept called PURA, which means providing urban amenities in rural areas. There is a need to establish about 7000 PURAs in India. Under each PURA, a cluster of about 20 to 30 villages is provided with physical connectivity, electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity. This will lead to economic connectivity. There are number operational PURA in India initiated by many educational, healthcare institutions, industry and other institutions. The Government of India is already moving ahead with the implementation of PURA on the national scale across several districts of India, with an intention of establishing two PURAs in every district of the country. So, under this program, the economic prosperity of urban areas will reach the rural areas. Our focus is to empower villages with earning capacity, because unless earning capacity is there, healthcare and other facilities have little meaning. One of the requirements of this program is to spread knowledge through satellite communication and other media. For example, mobile clinics in India have taken health facilities to rural areas.
IL: The sub-continent has witnessed widespread violence and civil unrest in recent years. Often these conflicts are a result of the injustice meted out to citizens. What can we do to ensure there is greater harmony in the society?
Dr. Kalam: This problem springs up in different places at different times. It is a world phenomenon. The Arab nations are going through the some problems. In the past, there have been terrorist attacks even in the US. I am convinced that the prosperity of a few nations will not bring prosperity to all the nations.
Therefore, I talk of evolution of enlightened citizens. First, throughout the world, we need to provide education with value system to our citizens. This is missing in today’s society. Second, in religion there are two components, one is spirituality and another is theology. Theology is unique for a religion, but spirituality is common to every religion. So, we can connect religions using the common spiritual element in them. When we are able to bridge religions in this way, tolerance will come. Third, we need to alleviate poverty. So, the evolution of enlightened citizens will happen with the summation of education with value system, bridging religions through spirituality and removing poverty. This is what I propose.
IL: You were an eminent scientist and a well respected figure, even before you became the President of India. How do we encourage India’s intellectual wealth to play a more active role in governance and nation building?
Dr. Kalam: An important incident took place in India many years ago which can serve a role model for our citizens. In 1954, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, invited Professor CV Raman to receive the Bharat Ratna. Professor CV Raman wrote a letter to Dr. Rajendra Prasad expressing regret that he would not be able to accept the invitation as he was guiding 4 PhD scholars, and his priority was to ensure their thesis was completed on time. This shows that for Professor Raman his students came first. (Professor CV Raman was awarded the Bharat Ratna in absentia) This is a great example. We need more such teachers in India. A great teacher should feed creativity. We need this kind of dedication and selflessness in our people and future leaders.
So, to answer your question, we need to feed creativity. Creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge and knowledge makes you great.
IL: Do you have any message for the Indian community living in Australia?
Dr. Kalam: My message to Indians living in Australia is, wherever you are you contribute to the betterment of that country. Your knowledge and experience is important, but it is very important to work for your chosen country. You are the ambassadors of India in this country. Indians here should focus on giving their best here for this country and if they succeed in doing that their name will spread in both the countries. As human beings they should have great thoughts, and back those with actions to achieve success.
