President, Dr. Abdul Kalam has made an appeal to the people of India that they should concentrate on realizing the dream of making India a ‘developed country.’ While taking over charge as President of India on 25 July 2002, what Dr. Kalam said, meant to convey that it was right time to start a movement in the country, right time for the movement, right time to make the people ebullient. He said that if we did not learn to become quick and efficient, we shall not be able to emerge as a developed nation.
The salient points of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s speech, during the oath-taking ceremony, are—
We have attained great successes in the fields of production of foodgrains, health, higher education, media and communication, basic infrastructure of industrial developments, information technology, science and technology and in the fields of defence system. But despite all these achievements and possession of great resources, a majority of people, in India, are leading their lives below poverty line and are victims of mal-nutrition. They are deprived of elementary education even. Our aim is to free them from poverty, make them healthy and literate. Any nation should possess all those virtues and qualities that have been mentioned in Thirukkural composed some 2000 years ago—
‘Pini Inmai Selvam Villaivinam Emam Aniyenva Naattikirvvandu’.
i.e. immunization against diseases, prospertiy, production at a higher level, leading a harmonious life and reinforcement of defence systems, are some factors which are of vital importance for any nation. We should make efforts to concentrate on all these five points under all circumstances. I am confident that our country, the population of which is more than one thousand million, which is strong and powerful, and is proceeding on the path of development, will succeed in meeting these basic requirements and expectations.
Today our country is facing certain challenges, e.g. operation of terrorists activities from across the borders, certain internal feuds and the problem of unemployment. What this great country, with a population of more than one thousand million, has to do is to face these challenges with far-sightedness. What does this far-sightedness mean? The meaning of ‘far-sightedness’ here is to adopt measures to make India a developed country. Can government alone make this dream come true? Now we need to start a movement in this country. And this is right time to start a movement. We shall have to make the people of this country ebullient so that they move in the right direction.
If we do not learn to become quick and efficient, we cannot develop as a developed nation. I remember the message given by the great saint and poet, Kabir—
‘Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar,
Aaj Kare So Ab…’
i.e. do today what you have left for tomorrow, and do right now what you have planned for today.
I strongly believe in the theory of religious harmony which is the moral bedrock of our nation, and the greatest power of our culture. During the last one year I have met many religious mentors of various religions and the message of all the religious mentors was unanimous on one point, and that is that there will definitely be a beginning of a golden era of India very soon. I shall try to make India an example of unity in diversity. In addition to the progress made in the direction of eradication of poverty and unemployment, every Indian should keep the safety and security of his country on top priority.
Truely, making India self-reliant economically, socially and, from the point of view of our defence systems, powerful, is our supreme duty towards our motherland and towards the generation to come.
I would like to share the dreams of the youth of India. I would like to intone a song of my youth, which I often sing with schoolchildren. I am feeling extremely happy to see children sitting here. They will represent our coming generations. Through these very children I wish to reach the hearts of the children, youth and citizens of India with this poem—
As a youth of India,
Adorned with the technology, knowledge and love of India,
I feel, aiming at a petty target is a crime.
I shall stream my sweat for that great objective,
Which may build India into a developed nation,
Which may have the power of solid economy,
And which may be full of values of existence.
I am one among the one thousand million citizens,
And this very dream will enthuse our souls.
That is all. This only is my dream on earth,
Above the surface of the earth,
And below the surface of the earth;
And as compared to any other source,
An enthused soul is the most powerful one.
In order to realize the dream of a developed India,
I shall keep the lamp of Jnana lit permanently.
If we pour out our sweat in order to realize this great dream, we shall definitely be able to build a developed India. India will stand united and the Indians will be enthused to work hard, when we sing this song in our beautiful languages:
—I pray to the Almighty God—
—let there be peace among the citizens of India,
—may they live in harmony and peace, and
may they enjoy physical and mental health endlessly.
