An inspirational speech BY APJ

Why are we
in India
so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?

We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we
refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

We are the first in milk production.

We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.

We are the second largest producer of wheat.

We are the second largest producer of rice.

Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a
self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but
our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.

I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day
after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas
had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish
gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a
granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory
details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried
among other news.

In India we only read about death,
sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are
we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want
foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.

Why this obsession with
everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with
self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad
giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked
her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India
. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India
is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.

YOU say that
our government is inefficient.

YOU say that our laws are too old.

YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.

YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the
worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.

YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

YOU say, say and say. What do
YOU do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore.
Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the
airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette
butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground
links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road
(equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come
back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in
a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity In Singapore
you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during
Ramadan, in Dubai
. YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.

YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10
pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to
someone else.'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington
and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I
am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't
chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches
in Australia and New Zealand
.

Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo?
Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston??? We are still
talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in
other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and
cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an
involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the
same here in India?

In an interview, the famous
Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay,
Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the
streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And
then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for
inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go
down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels?

In America
every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan.

Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose
a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.

We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything
for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to
clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor
are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the
bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to
learn the proper use of bathrooms.

We want Indian Airlines and Air India
to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop
pilfering at the least opportunity.

This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the
public.

When it comes to burning social
issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud
drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse?
'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone
forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?

What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our
neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the
government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making
a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families
into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait
for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep
of his hand or we leave the country and run away.

Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and
praise their system. When New York becomes
insecure we run to England
. When England
experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the
Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian
government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of
feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, The article is
highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks
one's conscience too . I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow
Americans to relate to Indians ..

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES
ARE TODAY'

Lets do what India
needs from us.

Jai Hind

DYNAMIC INSTITUTION

1. An educational Institution that radiates greatness by teaching capacity of the teachers.

2. An educational Institution is great because creativity is bubbling everywhere.

3. An educational Institution is great, because it cherishes the learning environment with library, internet, e-learning and creative laboratories.

4. An educational Institution is great, because it creates and generate students with confidence that “I can do it” that in-turn will generate the team spirit that “We will do it” and “India will do it”.

5. An educational Institution is great because it has teachers who lead a unique way of life with purity and become role models for the students and develop them as enlightened citizens.

6. An educational Institution is great because it has the capacity to teach all students to succeed.

7. An educational Institution that generates creativity among all students irrespective of whether they belong to arts or science stream.

8. An educational Institution is great, that generates alumni who cherish that they belong to this Institution.

Some Great thoughts

1 I will bring a change in the life of 100 women in education, employment or healthcare.
2 I will promote among women courage and self reliance in every walk of their life.
3 I will work continuously to remove dowry, girl child feticide and crime against women and children.
4 I will promote among citizens, righteousness in the heart that will blossom into beauty in the character.
5 I will light the lamp of knowledge in the nation and ensure that it remains lit for ever.
6 I will work with integrity and succeed with integrity.

Teachers

When I see the future teachers in this audience, I look at you dear friends, as one integrated system of education, system of learning and system of knowledge. You have to provide the guidance and build capacity among the youth to participate in the realization of distinctive profile I have mentioned above.
The seeds of peace in the world have their origin in the righteousness in the heart of every individual. Such righteous citizens lead to the evolution of enlightened society. Education with value system has to be so designed that the righteousness in the heart is developed in young minds. That should be the mission of education. The prime learning environment is five to seventeen years of age for over 25,000 hours. This reminds me of an ancient Greek teacher's saying, "Give me a child for seven years; afterwards, let God or devil take the child. They cannot change the child". This indicates the power of great teachers and teacher of teachers. True education is the acquisition of enlightened feelings and enlightened powers to understand daily events and to understand the permanent truth by linking citizen, to his environment, human and planetary. I would like to quote from the great philosopher Dr. S. Radhakrishnan particularly for the benefit of students and teachers - “The sense of human need is there and the teacher can satisfy it by giving to the youth an idea of the fundamental power and worth of man, his spiritual dignity as man, a supra-national culture and an all embracing humanity.” This can be achieved only by a teacher who loves teaching.

Saluting ISRO scientists for the successful launch of PSLV C16

ISRO has today successfully launched PSLV C 16. They have also placed three satellites, including Resourcesat-2 in the orbit. This is the 18th launch of PSLV with 16 uninterrupted success.

Those who had watched live the launch of PSLV today morning, would not have missed the tense and delightful 18 minutes, till the launch was declared successful, after placing the three satellites in the respective orbits. I could see the tension on the face of the scientists. I saw few of them praying with folded hands. It may be recalled that in 2010, ISRO's launch of GSLV satellite was not successful and the satellite went into bay of Bengal. Probably, the entire Nation joined them with prayers for the success.

In this Mission, they have also sent three high resolution cameras for taking pictures. First set of pictures will be received by the control authorities from the satellite from 28th April.

Today's event is a historical event in Indian Space Mission. India has positioned herself as the leader in 'Remote Sensing'. India will be supplying important data to various countries in future.

It was quite heartening to see Dr Radhakrishnan, Chairman of ISRO introducing all his team leaders and asking them to speak for few minutes to the Nation through live telecast. That proved the good leadership and team spirit of ISRO.

Dr Radhakrishnan assured the Nation today that they will be launching PSLV C-17 and C-18 shortly.

ISRO scientists have made India and all the citizens proud. Let us pray for their future success too. It is a much bigger a victory for India than the Word Cup. At least in future, let us hope such scientific achievements and global positioning of India will receive deserved media attention.

The PSLV-C16 rocket launched by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Sriharikota on Wednesday successfully injected India’s latest remote sensing spacecraft Resourcesat-2 and two smaller satellites into the Earth’s orbit.

Within minutes of its launch at around 10.30 am, the PSLV-C16 on its 18th mission put India’s latest remote sensing spacecraft along with two other satellites into the orbit.

The launch drew more attention because it happened after two failed starts last year.

ISRO chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan said the launch was successful and congratulated the scientists for the achievement.

The 1,206 kg Resoursesat-2 is an advanced remote sensing satellite and is fitted with three high resolution cameras. It will facilitate the study and management of natural resources.

With a five-year space life, Resourcesat-2 will replace Resourcesat-1 that was launched in 2003. It is also carrying an additional payload from Canadian COMDEV.

The second satellite, the YOUTHSAT will be used for stellar and atmospheric studies. The satellite with a two-year life is carrying two Indian and one Russian payload.

PSLV-C16 also launched Singapore’s X-SAT, a mini satellite that will be used for satellite-based remote sensing and onboard image processing.

Life value.....

Sulekha Rani.R ,P.G.T chemistry,K V NTPC kayamkulam

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the following straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

AN INSPIRATIONAL EXPERIENCE

An Inspirational Experiance

At a Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100 m race. At the starting signal, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, others except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back......every one of them. One girl with Down's syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better" Then all nine linked their arms together and walked together and finally reached the destination. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. I would say that, you do not have to slow down. Rather by helping difficult areas, the feed back will make you go faster. If you pass this on, we may be able to change our hearts as well as someone else's.

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle".

Great teacher

quote from the great philosopher Dr. S. Radhakrishnan particularly for the benefit of students and teachers - “The sense of human need is there and the teacher can satisfy it by giving to the youth an idea of the fundamental power and worth of man, his spiritual dignity as man, a supra-national culture and an all embracing humanity.” This can be achieved only by a teacher who loves teaching.

EDUCATION WITH A VALUE SYSTEM

We have seen that the seeds of peace in the world have their origin in the righteousness in the heart of every individual. Such righteous citizens lead to the evolution of enlightened society.

Education with value system has to be so designed that the righteousness in the heart is developed in young minds. That should be the mission of education.

The prime learning environment is five to seventeen years of age.

This reminds me of an ancient Greek teacher's saying,

"Give me a child for seven years; afterwards, let God or devil take the child. They cannot change the child, that’s the power of education".

This indicates the power of great teachers and what they can inculcate in the young minds.

Parents and teachers must inculcate moral leadership amongst children.

It requires the ability to have insights into the uniqueness and universality of human consciousness.

True education is the acquisition of enlightened feelings and enlightened powers to understand daily events and to understand the permanent truth linking man, to his environment, human and planetary.

INDIA'S FUTURE CHALLENGES

INDIA'S FUTURE CHALLENGES

During the next decade, India will have the following challenges that will propel a number of business opportunities:
1. Agriculture and Food processing: Increase the productivity into 3.4 times and concentrate on Food processing and marketing. 2. Infrastructure: Apart from rural and urban infrastructure, one hundred million homes have to be built with energy efficient and water efficient systems. Annual investment in this sector will be around $80 billion per year. 3. Automobile: The export has to be 50% of our output. We are expecting a business volume of $200 billion by 2016 from the existing $45 billion.
4. Ship Building: High Dead weight ships have to be built in the country. This will have a business volume of over $50 billion. 5. Information and Communication technology: We have to keep pace with the growth inspite of global recession by applying ICT for India. We are expecting to reach business volume of $200 billion per year by 2012. 6. Pharma: India must account for atleast 25% of generic drug produced world over. Pharma vision aims to reach the business volume of $50 billion by 2016.
7. Aerospace: 70 seater passenger jet aircraft has to be designed and developed involving 20 billion dollars of market for the next 10 to 15 years. 8. Rail-vision: Railway length has to be increased, metros have to come for faster transportation and multi-level station systems have to become operational to reduce city crowding, average speed of the train has to be doubled. Average annual investment will be over $25 billion. 9. Energy Independence: By 2030, we should attain energy independence through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind; nuclear and bio-fuels for transportation. Average annual investment will be over $30 billion.

UNIQUE QUALITIES OF THE YOUTH

UNIQUE QUALITIES OF THE YOUTH

COURAGE
Courage to think different,
Courage to invent,
Courage to travel into an unexplored path,
Courage to discover the impossible,
Courage to combat the problems
and succeed, Are the unique qualities of the youth.

Oath to the students By Abdul Kalam

Oath to the students By Abdul Kalam

1. I realize that small aim is a crime. I will have a goal and work hard to

achieve that goal.

2. I will work with integrity and succeed with integrity.

3. I will be a good citizen, a good member of my family, a good member of the

society, a good member of the nation and a good member of the world.

4. I will always try to save or better someone's life. Wherever I am, a thought

will always come to my mind. That is, what can I give?

5. I will always protect and enhance the dignity of every human life.

6. I will always remember that, Let not my winged days, be spent in vain.

7. I will always work for Clean Green Energy and Clean planet Earth.

8. As a youth, I will work and work with courage to achieve success in all my

tasks and enjoy the success of others

LEARNING INTEGRATED SYSTEM DESIGN

LEARNING INTEGRATED SYSTEM DESIGN

While I was studying aeronautical engineering in MIT, Chennai, (1954-57) during the third year of my course, I was assigned a project to design a low-level attack aircraft together with six other colleagues. I was given the responsibility of system design and system integration by integrating the team members. Also, I was responsible for aerodynamic and structural design of the project. The other five of my team took up the design of propulsion, control, guidance, avionics and instrumentation of the aircraft. My design teacher Prof. Srinivasan, the then Director of MIT, was our guide. He reviewed the project and declared my work to be gloomy and disappointing. He didn’t lend an ear to my difficulties in bringing together data base from multiple designers. I asked for a month’s time to complete the task, since I had to get the inputs from five of my colleagues without which I cannot complete the system design. Prof. Srinivasan told me "Look, young man, today is Friday afternoon. I give you three days time. If by Monday morning I don’t get the configuration design, your scholarship will be stopped." I had a jolt in my life, as scholarship was my lifeline, without which I cannot continue with my studies. There was no other way out but to finish the task. My team felt the need for working together round the clock. We didn’t sleep that night, working on the drawing board skipping our dinner. On Saturday, I took just an hour’s break.

On Sunday morning, I was near completion, when I felt someone’s presence in my laboratory. It was Prof. Srinivasan studying my progress. After looking at my work, he patted and hugged me affectionately. He had words of appreciation: "I knew I was putting you under stress and asking you to meet a difficult deadline. You have done great job in system design”.

Through this review mechanism Prof Srinivasan, really injected the necessity of understanding the value of time by each team member and brought out engineering education has to lead system design, system integration and system management. I realized that if something is at stake, the human minds get ignited and the working capacity gets enhanced manifold. That’s what exactly happened. This is one of the techniques of building talent. The message is that young in the organization, whatever is their specialization, be trained to systems approach and projects, which will prepare them for new products, innovation and undertaking higher organizational responsibilities. Teacher has to be a coach like Prof. Srinivasan.

An interview with Kalam.

Kalam.... about Politics 1. In your opinion, what is the significance of vote? and what do you suggest to the voters in view of the Forthcoming elections ? Ans: Vote is the privilege and responsibility of a citizen in a democracy, particularly now, when large number of youth have been included in the voter list. It is a tool of people’s power. The voters should exercise their franchise with discretion, so that the nation gets the right type of people’s representatives to serve and govern the nation and provide growth and prosperity to the citizens.
2) How do you describe an ideal candidate or the right candidate and do you think political parties fielding right candidates in elections? Ans: Ideal candidate is one who considers nation is above himself/herself and his party. “Work with integrity and succeed with integrity” must be the motto. Political parties should field such candidates for election who have concern for the national development and passion to implement national development programmes.
3) What could be done to eliminate candidates with criminal track record as well as increasing influence of money and muscle power? Ans: As per the representation of people (Amendment) Bill 2006, a person against whom a court of competent jurisdiction has framed charges for commission of an offence or offences, punishable with imprisonment for tenure of 7 years or more, such person shall be deemed to be disqualified for six years for contesting election from the date of framing of charges. This is definitely an improvement from the past. It is for the voter to be aware of all the conduct and characteristics of the candidate contesting for the election. They should be judicious in the selection of the right candidate. In this respect, not voting is a great injustice to the nation.
4) Do you support Dynastic politics? if so why so? if not why not? Ans: In a democracy, people’s power is mighty and right choice is the responsibility of the voter. Right type of person who will deliver justice and development of the constituency should be the selection criteria and voting. Our aim is to become a developed nation by 2020. We have many challenges to meet this. We have to concentrate on development and politics oriented to development is crucial.
5) Who is your ideal Political leader ? Did you ever feel tempted to join politics ? Ans: I have not been inspired so far in politics by anyone. I am very much influenced by my Primary School teacher Shri Sivasubramania Iyer and in professional career by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr. Satish Dhawan.
6) Do you agree with the contention that India is progressing? Ans: There is no doubt about the growth of India. After the 1991, economic liberalization, India has progressed in agriculture, Pharma, industry, ICT, automobile, road transportation, air-transportation, healthcare and higher education. Definitely I can see the growth. But what is needed today, is the rural development through PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) should be the focus.
7) How do you feel when people confine you to one Community? What kind of politics should be encouraged to make people rise above caste and creed and identify themselves with the nation ? Ans. Ignorance, ignorance and ignorance.
8) You have been inviting the youth to join politics. What kind of reforms do you suggest to attract youngsters towards politics and to make them choose politics as a serious career option ? Ans. So far I have met over 5 million youth. I have asked in every forum, how many people will join politics? The number is slowly increasing. I would like to give typical answers: Jalandhar girl said – her main aim in joining politics is to remove corruption from all levels. At Shimoga a boy said, I will enter into politics to remove castism in the country. Lucknow girl said, I will promote the vision of the nation and transform vision into missions and projects for time bound development of the nation.
9) The educational qualifications of a majority of public representatives remain pitiably low. Do you feel that some educational qualification should be prescribed for MLAs and MPs? Ans. It is not true. Number of graduates/postgraduate and PhDs in the different Lok Sabha from independence till now is constantly increasing. Nation is working towards higher and higher levels of literacy. When the country realizes, high percentage of literacy, we will definitely have more qualified legislature and parliamentarians.
10) Though members of weaker sections like SCs and STs are getting elected on the basis of quota system, the real power continues to be concentrated in the hands of the upper classes. What should be done to ensure that the weaker sections are really empowered? You know that the situation at the level of local bodies remains even more pathetic. Though women get elected to the seats under quota system it is their husbands or brothers that really run the show? Suggest something on that. Ans. Education, Education, Education and empowerment through the training to understand their rights.
11) Do you ever feel disturbed by the rise of corruption in public life? how can we eliminate corruption from the system? Ans. Every right thinking citizen is disturbed. Whenever I meet children, this is one of their serious anxiety. Adichunchanagiri story.
12) Tell us an instance where you felt that the politicians have terribly let down the nation ? Ans. If the money allotted for rural development, if it does not reach the people, it is injustice. Political leaders and the administration have to ensure that money reaches. If the water bodies are not periodically de-silted and connected and water shortage in the village, it is injustice to the rural population. If pendency of the court cases are constantly increasing without solution then it is injustice. If illiteracy in the country is not removed within a prescribed time for both male and female, then it is injustice. If the opportunity for earning capacity is not generated for the youth of the nation, then it is a injustice. If the people vote by getting money, it is injustice to themselves and the nation.
13) Do you feel the Election Commission should have more powers? What punitive powers should the Commission possess? Ans. It will be better to have a more transparent system of selection of Election Commissioners and Chief Elections Commissioner as is being done in the case of Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners