Convert India into a developed nation by 2020 : Kalam

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Kolkata, May 17 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today urged the people to play a proactive role in promoting a better education system and transform India into a developed nation by 2020.

Addressing different programmes, Dr Kalam said, ''Inquiry, creativity, technology, entrepreneurial and moral leadership are the five capacities required to develop students into self-directed, self-controlled and lifelong learners, who could respect the authority as well as question them in an appropriate manner.'' ''They are the leaders, who will work together as a self-organising network and transform any nation into a developed one in a time-bound manner,'' Dr Kalam said.

The President called for a total transformation in the primary education system, saying the rate of primary school drop-outs was a major cause for concern.

''Even though the GDP growth indicates our economic growth, people's participation is essential for achieving the required target, focussing on the growth of National Prosperity Index,'' Dr Kalam said.

''It is a must to ensure that the citizens are empowered with good quality life, encompassing nutritious food, good habitat, clean environment, affordable healthcare, quality education and productive employment integrated with our value system. These will lead to comprehensive development of the nation and bring smiles in the faces of one billion people,'' he opined.

''These are the indicators for the growth of national prosperity,'' he added.

If India was to achieve the status of a developed nation by 2020, the people's minds must be energised and ignited with new fervour and hope, the President said.

Dr Kalam stressed on the need for people to play a proactive role in the country's development, since economic development and evolution of enlightened citizens for the nation would be the focus for the next two decades.

''Scientists and technologists have an important role in realising the mission of developed India. To realise this vision, we need excellent minds for basic science and research and convert the results of research into application for national development,'' he iterated.

''Mutually beneficial international cooperation will be an important element of this transformation,'' he said.

Calling upon the students to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of scientific devlopment of the country, he said the country was moving into a ''Knowledge Era'' and, ''We must ensure that the transformation takes place fast.'' ''Real education enhances the dignity of a human being and increases his or her self-respect. If only the real sense of education could be realised by each individual, and carried forward in every field of human activity, the world will be so much a better place to live in,'' he said.

UNI

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