Kalam keen to see an Indian on Mars

New Delhi, Jan 9 (UNI) President APJ Abdul Kalam is mighty happy over the presence of the 25 million strong Indian Diaspora straddling a greater part of the Planet Earth, but he would be happier if ''some Indian also goes to Planet Mars.'' During his valedictory speech at the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, Dr Kalam noted with satisfaction that the Indian Diaspora, having a strength of 25 million, is to be found in some 110 countries.

''Who knows someday there might be some Indian on the Mars planet also,'' said the scientist-President, drawing a huge round of applause from the 1,100 Diasporic represenatives who included Singapore Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar and Malaysian Minister S. Samy Vellu.

Dr Kalam said the 25 million overseas Indians are constantly maintaining the umbilical connectivity with India, their motherland, wherever they are. ''Many of you are having partnership in education, societal developments and tourism which provides a continuous linkage between the people of India and the Indian community living abroad.'' He also asked the cash-rich and knowledge-equipped Indians to repay their debts to their mother country by joining the development saga of the India on the move and bring it in the league of developed nations by 2020.

''The spirit of 'What I can give?' becomes the song of our lives. That's how today, 25 million Indians who are away from India are bubbling with an urge, what I can give to my country. What India, which has nurtured all of you, needs? The nation wishes you for your great name, your prosperity and the prosperity of your families, for all generations to come,'' he said.

He said the greatest happiness for the mother is when her children are acclaimed as great. ''This is the pride of the nation.

Dear friends, this is how India sees the twenty-five million people of Indian origin living abroad. When you are great and you are happy, Mother India is happy. My respect to all of you.'' UNI