People's President inspires kids in inimitable style

Bhopal, July 17 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam's inspiring words to meritorious yet poor children resembled the battlecries of a noble general urging young warriors to valiantly advance along the path of developing the nation and themselves.

''The President told me to surge ahead towards my goal and to achieve something major in life.'' When a Jabalpur-resident tribal vegetable vendor's 15-year-old son Shankar Kol says these words in a voice brimming over with emotion, it seems as if the boy is already seeing a promising future courtesy today's Midas touch by India's 'Missile Man'.

Twenty-six kids along with Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani, met Dr Kalam in the Vidhan Sabha premises.

Mr Rohani said, ''The meeting enhanced the meaningfulness of the President's programme.'' Dr Kalam was here to address legislators on the occasion of the Assembly's golden jubilee and a 12-day monsoon session also got underway.

The kids, some of whom work as labourers, described the interaction as simply unforgettable. This year, every one of them secured 65 per cent or higher in the high school board examination.

''Prior to the meeting, there was tremendous trepidation as he is such a towering personage but when I actually met him he appeared just like a family elder,'' says Amarkant Chaudhry.

''We felt as if we made a great achievement today. We will do as the President has told us and become what he wants us to become,'' said 14-year-old Ravindra Kushwah who works at a juice centre.

''The President told us to emerge as doctors, engineers, scientists and pilots,'' said 15-year-old Dhamendra Jharia whose father is a tailor.

Clad in new clothes, belts and shoes, some of the children undertook the first train journey of their lives for the day's all-important interaction. They were from the Government High School, Ganeshgunj and Lakshmi Narayan Yadav High School, Ranjhi.

Mr Rohani lavished praise on the children's teachers.

UNI SD-AC PA ND1742