'Uncle Kalam' wins hearts of children

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) For thousands of children gathered at the Siri fort auditorium here this evening to have an audience with President A P J Abdul Kalam, it was an experience they would remember for a long time.

For, before them was not the President of India but rather a 'friend, philosopher and guide' who shared his childhood experiences with them while telling to them the importance of being good human beings and putting in hard work to be successful in life.

As one witnessed Dr Kalam interacting with the children, gathered at the auditorium on the occasion of closing of the Golden Jubilee Film Festival organised by the Children's Film Society of India (CFSI), he seemed "one of their own" as he fielded a wide range queries from the tiny tots, ranging from those on the sealing issue to the security of the country to India's Moon mission.

No wonder, all his replies were greeted with loud cheers from the children, who hailed from various schools of the city.

Asked by the children about the 'mantra' of becoming a successful person like him from an ordinary existence, Dr Kalam said,''whatever you want to become in life, to do so you must have an aim in life, you should work hard, you must acquire knowledge and never feel deterred by difficulties.'' Asked about his childhood, Dr Kalam said,''when I was a ten year-old child, I had a great teacher called Subramanyam Aiyer who taught me to "dream big" in life.

When a child asked him when India would surpass the United States, the President said,''it will happen when all of us start believing that 'I can do it'. Then, India will become the best nation in the World.'' Urging the children to "turn the impossible into possible" if they wanted to be successful in life, Dr Kalam said,''if you have determination, you can do any important thing and succeed.'' Earlier, the President administered a seven point oath to the children wherein they were to resolve to work hard in life, to wish for not only their own success but also the success of others, keep their environment clean, inculcate righteousness in their heart as means to achieve peace in the world, light the lamp of knowledge in all hearts and to help realise the vision of India by 2020.

Earlier, in his keynote address, he lauded the screening of films at the festival of digital films by young and talented filmmakers.

''I hope the content of digital films showcased at the film festival will create enthusiasm among children for the medium,''he said.

Noting that digital technology had brought a new language to the world of visual images, Dr Kalam said''these technologies have attracted children worldwide, who feel more at home playing in the digital environment compared to their elders.

Dr Kalam said the power of digital technology could be used to promote meaningful and value-based education in several parts of the country.

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