‘With Raman values, we can build strong market’

“Research and innovation are essential in building a competitive India,” said former President A P J Abdul Kalam at the inauguration of Bilcare Centre for Excellence at Shiroli village, 40 km from the city, today. Narrating a C V Raman anecdote to drive home the point on the importance of research, Kalam said, “When Raman was invited by President Rajendra Prasad in 1954 for the investiture ceremony to confer on him the Bharat Ratna, he declined because he had to guide a research student at the final stages of a thesis. If the value that Raman gave to research spreads across India, we can truly build a competitive market.” He said that while the Global Innovation Index 2007 placed India at number 23, it was 48 on competitiveness. “For building competitiveness, we need creativity. Creative leadership in the most important component for success,” he said. On the occasion, Kalam inaugurated a book with 50 essays and drawings, a compilation of a competition held by Bilcare Foundation for schools located in Rajgurunagar, Shiroli, Vadgaon Patole, Jambhildrara, Ladwad, Retawadi, and Kiwale. Addressing students at the gathering, Kalam took them back to his school days when he was filled with doubts and concerns. “Will I ever go out of my village to high school? Will I ever enter the company of the other well-dressed English speaking kids?. An inspiring teacher helped him wipe out these doubts. He made students repeat his mantra after him. “Dream, Dream, Dream. Transform into thoughts, thoughts result into action,” the children echoed after Kalam. In a session later, questions submitted previously by students were taken up by Kalam, which included ‘Who is the greatest artist in the world?’ Kalam said “God”. “What steps did you take to be a doctor”, How do you become a scientist? Answer: “Keep asking questions and you will get there”. “How much percent of your brain do you use?,” asked a kid. Kalam said. “George Bernard Shaw said we use 10 per cent of our brains, many other scientists said 10 per cent. I also say 10 per cent.”