I want to be remembered as a good human being: Kalam

Srinagar, July 29: President A P J Abdul Kalam today said he wants people to remember him as a good human being.

The President said this when a student from Tibetan Public School, Srinagar Humaira, asked him if he would like to be remembered in history as a great Scientist, as the President of India or as a great teacher, during the question-answer session.

Dr Kalam to another question about Indian astronauts being able to reach the moon said ''We have Chandrayan programme--an unmanned Moon Mission. The next effort will be to have a manned mission to Moon based on a national requirement. As and when decided, Indian Space Research Organization will be able take a mission.'' When a student sought his advice on how to manage time in the face of curricular over-load, peer pressure and parental goads, the President said ''You must fix an aim. Work constantly towards that aim. If you love your subject you will develop deep interest which will enable you to manage your time better. Do not allow any pressure to influence. Take your own decision. Overcome the problems by becoming master of the problem and succeed.'' In reply to another question that if he anticipates any traffic hold ups in space with disastrous collisions, Dr Kalam said before any new launch takes place, debris analysis is done. The whole system works on an international guidelines. This will ensure prevention of disastrous collision.

When asked if he could unfold a preventive plan for Jammu and Kashmir which is in the seismic zone five, the president said all efforts of the research has to be on forecasting earthquake. India has started forecasting activity in partnership with Iceland and some other countries. This will provide slightly early warning so that we can take preventive action for the impending disaster.

When asked if he agreed that the scientific temper in our society, at large is not catching up, the president said it is not true. There is a progressive increase in application of science in day-to-day activity by our citizens. All the youth have to promote scientific temper in their home, in their surroundings and wherever they can influence.

When asked about alluring packages in the industry and management weaning away the best of talent to the corporate sector, with not-so-bright youths going for research and ecology, he said Indian Institute of Science Education and Research is being established in different parts of the country. This is to capture young talent and nurture them for research. ''Also I have advocated creation of an assured career for M.Sc. and Ph.D. in organisation like atomic energy, DRDO, space, science and technology, universities and bio-technology. This will make career in science and research attractive for best of talent in the country.

''Also, I am suggesting technologists in all institutions to demand basic science output from young scientist,'' he added.

When asked about his suggestion on how the people of the country would participate in the elections, the president said the awareness is constantly increasing. In the recent election the percentage of people who voted has been much higher than earlier election. It shows that the people are getting interested in the election process. Youth have a responsibility to persuade the eligible voter in their region to go and vote for the right candidate.

About child labour, he said ''I have assent to a Bill for free and compulsory education for the all the children in the age group of 5 to 14. Also, the industries are being asked not to engage child labour.'' The mid-day meal scheme has been introduced by many state governments to prevent nourishment to poor children. Collective societal action is required to weed out the practice of child labour in the country.

UNI