Kalam’s lesson for the day: science removes mental barriers

Known as the missile man, Kalam said science helps an individual develop his vision and remove mental barriers.

During his interaction with the students who had a variety of questions ranging from launch of Chandrayan-I —India’s first mission to Moon — the future of nuclear technology in the country to the link between science and spirituality, Kalam replied all.

He said the future of nuclear technology lies in devising Thorium-based reactors since the element is found abundant in the country.

In his reply to a question by a student, Kalam said corruption was the biggest evil plaguing the country.

“As young children, you have to promise that you will not allow your father and mother to be corrupt. Then we will have a beautiful India,” he told students.

Kalam made his address look like a classroom lecture where he asked questions on inventions and discoveries, made the students repeat his statements and also administered them an oath of service for science and the society.

Queries from students, however, kept pouring in till the end of the programme and almost each child had something to ask.

Kalam also unveiled a wax replica of legendary bio-physicist Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose during the ceremony to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the scientist.

Illustrating the discoveries of Bose, Kalam said the legendary scientist was able to achieve the rare feat because of his will power.

He said knowledge is an amalgamation of creativity, courage and righteousness. Following a righteous path will lead to harmony at home, order in the nation and peace in the world, he added.

Speaking on his Vision 2020, Kalam insisted that a dynamic environment is necessary to reach the dream.

He talked about the necessity for creating an an environment that can lead the country to massive application in science and technology.

As the programme winded up, he asked the students to email him their queries and promised to reply them in 24 hours.

Car breaks into Kalam’s convoy
A taxi got into the way of former President A P J Abdul Kalam’s convoy at Golaghata on Saturday sending the Kolkata police into a tizzy. The security breach took place when Kalam’s convoy was crossing the VIP Road. Gopal Yadav, the 38-year-old taxi driver who was later arrested on charges of rash driving, said he was unaware of the VIP movement in the area. “I suddenly noticed the police jeeps zooming past my taxi and after policemen started screaming I was afraid of getting nabbed and turned towards the Lake Town Road,” Yadav said. Additional Superintendent of Police (Bidhannagar) Sujay Chanda said the taxi driver did not try to get into the convoy. “We do not stop any vehicle during VIP movement. Only the traffic of the service roads are checked so that no vehicle enters into the way of the convoy,” Chanda said.