Brain drain no problem: A P J Abdul Kalam

Bhiwani, May 25: Unlike the usual brouhaha over the flight of skilled professionals from India to other countries, President A P J Abdul Kalam today said brain drain was not a problem and it should be accepted as a worldwide phenomenon. ''Brain drain is not a problem. If a large number of people are going abroad, a number of people are also coming to India. We have to accept this phenomenon as it is the world order,'' Dr Kalam said while interacting with students of the Government Senior Secondary School, Kalenga in Bhiwani district of Haryana.

When Kavita Sharma, a class Nine student, asked the President what they should do to be as great as he is, Dr Kalam exhorted the students to acquire knowledge and work hard.

This, he said, would enable them to become great. They would be able to become President, Prime Minister, Astronaut, Chief Minister of Haryana and any one they like, he added.

Earlier, while delivering his speech in chaste Hindi, the President said that he was happy to be in the native village of great freedom fighter Pt Neki Ram Sharma.

The President also paid floral tributes to Pt Neki Ram Sharma and gifted a set of books for the local school.

The President read out an eight point pledge in Hindi for the residents of Kelanga and asked them to speak with him.

Dr Kalam was also taken around to show the developmental works in the village like pavements of streets and drainage using interlocking blocks, public health facilities, EDUSAT and e-Disha programme.

Those present on the occasion included Haryana Governor A R Kidwai, Agriculture Minister H S Chatha, Health Minister Kartar Devi and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dharambir Singh.

The President also planted saplings of Neem, Banyan and Peepal in the Trifla Vatika of the village.

Earlier, Mr Deepender Hooda informed the gathering that the President had expressed his desire to visit one of the over 6500 villages of Haryana. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda suggested him to visit Kalenga.

UNI