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President sees India as super power even before 2020

Every citizen and every youth could contribute for national cause: Kalam

Jalandhar: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Thursday said that sustained efforts of maintaining the growth of gross domestic product (GDP) coupled with active role by the youth could certainly make India an economic super power even before 2020.

Responding to a question from a teenager during interaction with students of Kanya Mahavidhyala here this evening Dr Kalam said; ``We are targeting an increase in GDP from eight per cent to ten per cent and if we can keep the GDP between that for the next ten years, India will certainly achieve the goal''.

He said India should tap fusion resources to achieve self-reliance in energy and ventures like the moon mission will help the country achieve this aim within the next seven years.

``Why does every country want to go on moon? Just to get Helium 3, which is in abundance and I believe India will achieve the target within five to seven years by exploiting the energy potential of Helium-3, a major source of nuclear power,'' Dr. Kalam said.

He said that the number of people below the poverty line had been coming down and the goal targeted in the Vision 2020 was really achievable.

In reply to another question by a student about contribution by all good citizens in achieving Vision 2020, the President said that every citizen and every youth could contribute for the national cause simultaneously with his or her personal tasks.

``For instance you as a student should first concentrate in achieving excellence in your academic mission and simultaneously in your spare time you can go to your neighbourhood or village to teach illiterates, plant at least five plants and work for spreading message for water and power conservation,'' Dr Kalam said.

The President expressed his desire to return to his teaching job after completing his tenure. Dr Kalam said he was a teacher and preferred teaching students of first and second year classes of engineering courses.

``After finishing my task as President I may like to be a teacher, who knows one day I may teach you'', he added.

He also recalled contributions of four great ``gurus'' including his primary school teacher and scientists Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan, and said that he drew inspirations from his ``gurus''. Prior to this, the President held discussion with Vice Chancellors of various universities in the KMV campus.

Dr Kalam arrived here this afternoon to interact with VCs and students of KMV. He was accompanied by Governor S.F. Rodrigues, Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and several other dignitaries.

Voluntary movement

The President also made an aerial survey of the sacred Kali Bein rivulet at Sultanpur Lodhi which was cleansed of pollutants by a voluntary movement led by social activist Baba Seechewal.

Dr. Kalam, accompanied by Gen. Rodrigues and Ms. Bhattal, made the survey of the 160-km rivulet that is considered sacred by Sikhs as Guru Nanak had attained enlightenment here.

Speaking on the occasion, Kalam lauded the initiative of Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal who led the six-year cleaning operation.

``I will spread the message in the nation regarding the cleanliness of the Kali Bein by Baba Seechewal who has set an example,'' the President said.

The President was honoured at Gurdwara Sant Ghat where he paid obeisance.

Dr. Kalam laid the foundation stone of Guru Nanak Art Gallery and went around a exhibition of photographs taken during the six-year `kar sewa' to cleanse the rivulet. UNI/PTI

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President sees India as super power even before 2020

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