The Hindu : New Delhi News : President encourages children to compete

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

President encourages children to compete

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 22. Encouraging children to compete, the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today stated that competitions like the Shankar's International Children's Competition allowed the blossoming of the creative genius in children as it did not lay down any constraint in terms of topic or theme leaving it completely to the imagination and the innovativeness of the children. He was speaking at the Shankar's International Children's Competition Award function for the year 2005 held here today.

Appreciating the creativity of children, Dr. Kalam expressed his "amazement'' at the Shankar's Children's Art Number - Volume 55 that depicts the work of children from 68 countries.

"The children have exhibited a great talent in painting, in poems and writing stories and articles. While grown ups start talking about countries and borders, caste and religions, poor and the rich, the work of the children from the 68 countries has been seamless and borderless,'' he said.

Describing the power of creativity, the President remarked, "According to the Laws of Aerodynamics, the shape of the bumblebee is such that it should be impossible for it to fly. But the bee's determination to fly is strong.

The bee keeps fluttering its wings and its life propels the bee. This high frequency vibration creates a vortex, which enables it to fly. With determined efforts you can always succeed against established beliefs. That is the power of creativity''. He noted the determination and creativity of famous people like the Wright Brothers and rocket designer Von Braun and encouraged the children to dream. He further asked them "not to believe in the word impossible''.

While underlying the importance of competitions like Shankar's International Children's Competition, Dr. Kalam remarked that more children from rural areas should also be encouraged to participate in the competition. "Learning gives creativity; Creativity leads to thinking; Thinking provides knowledge; Knowledge makes you great,'' he said.

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