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| Uncle Kalam plays a great teacher’ | | | SRINAGAR, JULY 29- Mesmerized by lush green scenic splendour of Zabarwan Hills, President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam today envied Kashmiri students for being the inhabitants of the beautiful valley blessed with nature’s abundant beauty and bounty.
An interaction with 225 students of various schools of the valley, in the magnificent lawns of Raj Bhavan here this beautiful but slightly humid morning, turned into a virtual classroom with the President taking over the command as an affectionate teacher –ready to answer the queries of inquisitive minds.
‘You are lucky children to live in such a fantastic place’, the smiling President said while having a deep stare at the serene Dal lake.
Governor, Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha listened with rapt attention the lucid answers provided by Dr Kalam to questions mostly revolving round science and technology.
De-nuclearisation of the nation and Nano technology of energy were the two important questions asked by young students, which he answered elaborately. India could do so if other nuclear powers consider it. He recalled famous speech of the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Lal Nehru in United Nations in 1960, expressing his concern over nuclear arsenals, saying that normally children perform last rites of their parents and in the nuclear holocaust parents might have to perform this ritual for their off-spring. He also dwelt in length on the vastness of nano technology.
The President called upon students to make library their best friend and recommended two books to them for extensive study –Empire of Mind and Light from Many Lamps. The latter, he said, has been his companion for the past 56 years.
Humera, a primary student wanted to know whether the President will like to be remembered as a great scientist, great president or a great teacher. ‘A good human being’, quipped Dr Kalam. To the apprehension of Mir Fahim Rasool about possible traffic collusion in space, he said that he was promoting an idea of fueling dummy satellites in the space so that the need for sending more such satellites becomes less.
Dr Kalam stressed the need for inculcating scientific temper among students and said teachers can play a pivotal role in this regard. He was answering Syed Bushra’s question.
To the query of Ashish Kumar, a student from Pulwama, the President advocated free and compulsory education to children upto 14 years of age and said industries should not employ children. He also stressed the need for strict laws in this regard. He also referred to mid-day meal scheme launched by the Government and said that collective effort is needed to check this menace.
Arslan wanted to know when Indian astronauts will reach moon. Dr Kalam said that one day it will happen. To another question of Anha, he said that he was deeply inspired by Prof Vikram Sarabhai, Prof Satish Dhawan and Prof Braham Prakash. He urged youngsters to help in wiping corruption, preserving environment and spreading literacy to make India a happy and prosperous nation by 2020. He laid stress on acquiring knowledge, saying that when knowledge is lit, individuals’ progress, families become happy and the nation becomes strong and developed.
The students were very vocal in asking questions and at times interrupted the President to seek clarification on various points. ‘Uncle Kalam is a great teacher’, a young girl was heard telling her classmates.
Dr Kalam made a mention of Wullar boat tragedy and said that he is receiving lot of mails from people of Kashmir in this regard. He said he was greatly shocked by the incident and had sent his personal condolences to the Chief Minister on the loss of life. The tragedy which claimed lives of many students is being probed into.
Ms Asma read the welcome address on behalf of the students.
Chief Secretary Mr C Phunsog, Principal Secretary to Governor, Dr Arun Kumar, Director General of Police, Mr Gopal Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Basharat Ahmed, Secretary Education, Mr K M Wani, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Sheikh Eijaz Iqbal and Director School Education, Kashmir, Mr Mohammed Rafi were present on the occasion.
It was a great moment for youngsters to interact with the country’s first citizen, who met them individually.
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