Courageously confront contemporary challenges: President

Bilaspur, Nov 7 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today appealed to the youth to courageously confront contemporary challenges and contribute towards building a corruption-free society and ensure economic development for a prosperous and secure India of the future.

''The youth will have to determine their goals themselves.

Besides toil, a pledge has to be taken for ensuring the success of every social segment,'' India's Missile Man said here while administering a seven-point oath to meritorious students of the Guru Ghasidas University's Fifth Convocation.

Among those present were Chhattisgarh Governor Krishna Mohan Seth, Chief Minister Raman Singh, Chhattisgarh High Court Chief Justice Subray Rama Nayak, Finance Minister Amar Agrawal, Higher Education Minister Ajay Chandrakar and Bilaspur MP Punnulal Mohle.

''Besides purity of mind, responsibility has to be taken for cleanliness of the self, home and surroundings. The youth must resolve to attain Vision 2020,'' said the 'People's President' who spoke in English but began with 'Namaskar'.

Pointing out that the most formidable challenge facing the nation was the development of 22 crore people living Below Poverty Line, the world-renowned scientist quoted economists as saying that it could be achieved only by enhancing Gross Domestic Product to 10 per cent by 2020.

''Vision 2020 determines targets for agriculture and food-processing, education, health and particularly female literacy.

River-linking will have to be considered,'' said the president who gifted a few sets of his books to the varsity. Vice-Chancellor J L Gupta presented mememtoes to the dignitaries.

UNI XC-AC YA BS1945