"WINGS OF VISION " -AN INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH Dr.A.P.J.ABDULKALAM

That night was in the middle of my university exam season, yet the tension and frustration ‘went to the sea’ and a dawn of hope started to rise in the darkness. I think, I have two birthdays- May 8^th (birthday) and November 7^th (the re-birthday) and the second birthplace is a magical island, where dreams build castles and hard work paves the way to destiny.

My alma mater (GEC, Thrissur) was celebrating its Golden jubilee and we (six students and a staff) gathered at Ramanilayam, Thrissur to have an interactive session with modern age sage of scientific thoughts Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Our aim was to publish that in our souvenir. It was late night (some 10 P.M), yet he hadn’t arrived. We had obtained prior permission but since it was late all officials discouraged us. Suddenly a car arrived and the police people made us to stay far away. They refused our request. Since there was a will for us, we had a way also. We requested several times and finally they allowed us to take a photograph with Kalam sir. A ray of hope pierced my thoughts. After serious security check ups we entered the room.

I felt, I were in some sanctum sanctorum while we entered the room. He asked us who we were and asked us to sit near to Him. Without any hesitation he poured thoughts..

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*Sir, do you feel that the existing educational system is one that promotes creative thinking?

Well, the educational system can be visualized as primary education, secondary education and finally the higher education. In this creativity is most important for primary education. That is, in between five to fourteen years. Creativity has to come out from the class rooms. Some students like painting some likes singing… These all come under creative thinking. Class room has to serve as a “Happy lab”. For achieving this, to the teachers has to be creative; if teachers are not creative, they can’t inspire the students and find out their inherent talents. Then no creativity is resulted. Hence, the primary education system has to be remoulded so that the students of age 5 to 14 become creative in their life. Then good children will come out.

*Sir, you have been propagating “VISION 2020” for the past few years. How do you assess the present progress?

In 2020, India will be definitely achieving the status of a developed country. That is, we will improve and will become ‘Economic power’ in the world. The people below poverty line will be lifted by that time. But the VISION 2020 is not complete only by that. For the completion of the vision we should have certain qualities- now “Best citizenship” come into picture. During my school days, at St.Joseph’s college,Trichy , there was separate hours earmarked for instilling values by teaching the life and preaching of many visionaries like Buddha, Kaliph Omer , Einstein, Gandhi etc . Their life, ideologies and the means and ways by which they spread brightness to the world were discussed. These moral classes were a source of inspiration to all of us. Hence I strongly believe that it is late hour to include “Moral Science” in our curriculum as “Best Human beings are very good teachers”

*Sir, in the “VISION 2020” how the empowerment of women is realized?

Women empowerment is a basic requirement for development. Now compared to other states, Kerala is having educated women. Just take the medical field; there are many magnificent doctors who excel in their career. We had a woman prime minister. We are not bad. Women empowerment has to be attained by women itself. Now, we can feel the change. More number of women is entering into many areas of development. IAS is turning out to be a big opportunity. But, basically women has to attain political power- for that women representatives should be in legislative assembly- imagine a situation in which 30% of members in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are women. Then the ‘empowerment’ is easy. That is, political parties to change the strategies. They have to give more stress on ‘Development oriented issues’.

*Sir, you said about ‘best citizenship’. But the present situation of terrorism is precluding this concept. How you can correlate this?

Well- Behind terrorism there are four reasons: land reforms, religious fundamentalism, poverty and political ideologies. During land reforms many were not able to get sufficient land. Unequal distribution land caused many problems. Secondly, the religious fundamentalism. This can be avoided by transforming the religion. All religions are leading to spirituality- saying “love all”. Spirituality can be used as a connection link among religions. Thirdly poverty and finally political ideologies. There are three steps to realize best citizenship- Education with value system is the main path to be followed. That is by promoting human values best citizenship is attainable. We can connect all religions by imaging the concept of spirituality. Finally poverty removal will lead to economic prosperity.

*Sir, how science and technology can bring “well being” of common man?

Science and technology can provide comfort to common man. We all know the improved communication systems available now, just because of the communication satellite launched by the space programs. EDUSAT is another example. Just think of common man in rural area who cannot afford to pay the studies in a city. Now he is enabled to listen to good teachers through the EDUSAT national link. Similarly mathematics, telemedicine etc are having day to day applications. Telemedicine allow the patients in the remote place got examined by an expert in the urban area. Bio fuels can be implemented. With the aid of improved technology, like remote sensing minerals can be extracted.

*Sir, what should be the role of, we, the students to fulfil “VISION 2020”?

The first thing I want to say to students is – “Love to learn”. You should excel in your studies and thus help India to attain the goal-Vision 2020. Once Mahatma Gandhi asked his mother what should I do? She advised him to work to remove the pain of others. This is what I wanted to tell you. You should work to remove the pain of poor people. Youth should play a vital role in eradicating corruption. Ask your family members to stop the corruption (if any). They have affection to you and they will hear what you say. Corruption eradication must be started from families. Then by cleaning the environment and by implementing bio fuels youth can do a lot. They have to remove pain of people – love all. More important, they should ask themselves –“what can I give? What should I do for my country? “Then VISION 2020 is fulfilled.

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I know, he was very tired after hectic schedules. But the energy he possessed was of myriad Joules. Moreover, the words are coming not from his mouth, but from a sincere heart. Quick and nicely crafted answers- Thread for reality and thought for humanity.

Here I thank Mr. Manikandan, Mr. Deekshith, Mr. Vinod, Mr. Neeraj, Ms. Minu and Dr.N. Sajikumar for arranging such an illuminating night. Surely, that night is a nugget in my college life.