Cuttack (PTI): Appealing to the youth to work hard to transform dreams into reality, former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Saturday said such an approach would turn India the best place in the world to live in by 2020.

"Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts into action and with knowledge all problems would be defeated and goals achieved," Kalam said delivering the first convocation address of Ravenshaw University here.

Presenting medals and awards to some 50 graduates, Kalam said he visualises a new India in 2020 having ten "great profiles".

"India in the next 12 years would have a very thin line dividing urban and rural areas, abundant quality energy, best destination for science and technology research, quality health-care facilities and a responsive government," he said.

Illiteracy would be reduced, malnutrition solved as the country would be a conglomerate of entrepreneurs, administrators, service providers and farmers, he said adding India would be the best place in the globe to live in 2020.

Orissa Governor M C Bhandare, who is also Chancellor of the university, hoped the university would successfully disseminate knowledge, wisdom and understanding through innovative methods of teaching.