The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Kalam's message for HAL staff

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Thursday, Jan 04, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Kalam's message for HAL staff

Staff Reporter

The President recollects his association with the aviation major in `The Plane,' HAL's in-house magazine

BANGALORE: "Small aim is a crime." You stand up and take notice when President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam himself says that.

For young aerospace engineers of the city-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mr. Kalam has a big message: "Think big, work hard and act. `Sky is our territory' could be the motto of HAL. HAL aircraft must fly and excel in the Farnborough and Paris International Air Shows."

The newly launched in-house magazine, "The Plane," of HAL had a centrespread interview of the President, with the picture of Mr. Kalam ready for flying in an Indian Air Force pilot's attire. It apparently went well with what he had to say.

"HAL must introduce a lot of inspiring leaders in the organisation. This will facilitate young engineers and designers to mingle with performers, seek their guidance and get inspired to excel in their tasks."

Vivid memories

Mr. Kalam has vivid memories of his association with the State-owned aviation major. As a student of the Madras Institute of Technology in 1957, he had to undergo training at HAL. During the SLV-3 programme, Mr. Kalam worked with HAL to establish a heat treatment facility at the company's Nasik division.

As part of the missile programme, his team established the Aerospace Division in Bangalore for serial production of fuel tanks and engine, and a production line for the inertial navigation system at HAL Karwa for the Prithvi missile. Later, he worked on developing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

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