Tricolour flies in my heart: Kalam tells students

New Delhi, Jan 15 (UNI) Former President A P J Abdul Kalam today invoked students to contribute actively in India's development, saying the future of the country lay in their hands.

''The youth need to take active part in the development of our nation. They need to lead the way as the future of the country lies in their hands,'' Dr Kalam said while addressing students at a function here.

He further told them that knowledge was equal to creativity, courage and indomitable spirit.

''A person having all these qualities is knowledgeable. These are the traits that make a person great.'' Dr Kalam, who shared the platform with Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia, asked the students to respect and honour the national flag.

''Our national flag flies high in my heart,'' he said.

He also presented the awards to the winners of 'Sur Sangam,' an inter-school group song competition, organised by Salwan Montessori School here.

''It feels great to be a part of a musical gala like this, where gems of melody shine through the eyes of these young ones, revitalising the sprit of patriotism in the heart of one and all,'' the former President said.

In reply to a question posed by a student, he said there would be traffic problems with the arrival of Tata's small wonder car Nano.

However, the former President hastened to add that the government has launched EMRI (Emergency Management Research Institute), which will look into traffic-related problems.

Addressing the students, Mr Bhatia said the purpose of education was not to repeat a lesson in an examination and attain good marks but to enable a person to create new products to solve day-to-day problems besides being innovative, creative and develop entrepreneurs skills.

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