Dream on India

What are 5.5 million youngsters in India aspiring for? In an exclusive interview with Mid Day about his recent book spirit of India, former president dr APJ Abdul Kalam answers

What are 5.5 million youngsters in India aspiring for? In an exclusive interview with Mid Day about his recent book spirit of India, former president dr APJ Abdul Kalam answers

Will India become a superpower by 2020? Does producing missiles lead to a peaceful world? Why does he sport a hairstyle like that? The people's President encountered many questions during his tenure. He tells us why it was important for him to answer them all.

Ignited Minds was ignited by a vivid dream about five men (Ashoka, Gandhi, Einstein, Lincoln and Caliph Omar). India believes in the mission of becoming a superpower by 2020. But Spirit of India is a collection of 'some of the most relevant and irrelevant questions' ever put to you. What prompted you to answer them?
Spirit of India is the result of meeting 9.5 million youth across India during my years as President. This book reflects the dreams, aspirations and pains of the young, through their questions and my answers. The young are very free with their opinions, open to discussions. One of the very important characteristics of a student is to ask questions and teachers should encourage that.

We would like to highlight some of the questions asked in the book. For example: (a) How do you justify the statement, preparation for war as a defence for peace?
For the last 3,000 years India has been invaded by many countries. Alexander invaded India, the French, Dutch and Portuguese set up their colonies and then we were ruled by British, Why? India needs peace for its progress. When all around us our neighbouring countries have nuclear weapons, India cannot sit and do tapas. Strength respects strength. Whatever we have done in defence is only to defend our freedom. At no time either in the past or in the future would India ever invade any nation. Our nuclear policy enunciates no first use. That means defending any country is the foremost mission.

(b) One of India's strength has been its spirituality. What is your advice on retaining spirituality as our country progresses and becoming more materialistic?
One of our strengths is our joint family system. In this system a problem is no problem whereas in a nuclear family a problem can destroy a family. We have a number of religions. I find that religions are like orchards, but they need to be linked. Every religion preaches compassion and love. If we can transform religion into a spiritual force then we have arrived.

(c) On one hand we are talking about bringing 100% literacy in the country. On the other hand, education is becoming more expensive. How can a rational balance be brought between the two?
There is no need to improve the quality of education in the state run schools where the cost of education is fairly low. For improving the quality of education, we have to use modern technology backed by few good teachers and the dissemination has to take place with the use of
tele-education. This is a good investment which should be met from the government budget. Also, students of higher
classes should teach the lower class students, without any charge.

(d) If we students with a deep sense of patriotism try to enter politics how can we compete with and
win against people with criminal backgrounds?
Recently I have noticed that citizens are becoming more aware of developmental issues and development performance has become the criteria for electing candidates or the party. I am sure very soon the Indian electorate will fully recognise the need for political leaders who will concentrate more on development of the state and nation.

(e) Why do you have this hair style?
The hair grows.
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One of our young readers has pointed out that some of the information about you on the Internet has been tweaked by some people with vested interests. Do barking dogs affect the missile man?
If you have confidence in your own actions and you believe that you are doing the right thing, then what others say about you should not matter.
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The BJP has criticised the government for the delay in punishing Afzal Guru. During your Presidency you had said that his clemency papers never reached you. Also, you had said the day your presidency gets over you'll have a different view about the death penalty. Now that you aren't the President anymore, what is your view on death penalty now?
I would not like to comment on this as I don't hold that position now.

Finally, everybody we spoke to about this interview wanted to know what has their favourite President been doing post-Presidency. Could you answer that for your fans?
I am busy teaching in many universities across the country. Other than that, I am working on a new book which you will get to know about soon.

Spirit of India is available on Rajpal Publications for Rs 195

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