IIM-A students on mission to realise Kalam146;s vision

Around 70 students of second year post graduate programme, post graduate programme for executives, post graduate programme-agri-business management and the fellowship programme have been selected for the course, which will have 20 lectures, of which, nearly half would be delivered by Kalam himself.

The Saturday lecture was an interactive session with the students where they discussed their project topics. Kalam8217;s energetic talk enthused the students. He tried motivating the students to have an optimistic view of India and narrated incidents of his life to explain his point. It was his wit that lifted the spirits of students, many of whom were nervous about his lecture.

The students were given 10 project topics, which were actually the ten pillars of the 2020 strategy visualised by Kalam 8212; transparent governance, policies, synthesis of agriculture, industry and service sectors, education without reservation, healthcare facilities and a nation free of terrorism. The students will also be given the opportunity to interact with the parliamentary committees and the ministers on specific policies.

Kalam also gave a presentation on each of the pillars and discussed issues at length.

8220;It being a project-based course, Kalam has encouraged a good interaction with us through e-mails. When he is working so hard to groom us, we also want to support him to achieve his vision of 2020,8221; says Saurabh Basantani, second year postgraduate programme student.

When asked about terrorism, Kalam said that in order to counter terrorism, one needs to make people their partners. He further added that the governments in India should create a unified intelligence agency, make the laws stringent and justice quicker. As a mandatory practice, every citizen should have a National Citizen Identification Card.

Kalam also appreciated the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying that the availability of uranium was a major concern for the nation. He appealed to all the uranium-rich states to open their doors for the country. Besides, he pointed out that scientists were developing thorium reactors for the future, but till then, India needs uranium, which will be facilitated by this treaty.

Kalam encouraged the youth of the nation to understand the importance of young blood in politics. According to him, the youngsters can generate good opinion and add their valuable contribution in shaping national policies. He also said that education in our country should focus on employment and not on academic records. Opportunities of employment have to be generated to encourage Indian students to study in India.

8220;I was teaching in Anna University in 2002 when I got a call from Delhi for Presidentship. But I am ready to teach again as I love teaching,8221; said Kalam candidly.

Kalam will visit IIM-A again on October 25 and November 26-27 of this year to continue his lecture series on GRIT.