Presidential Address
APJ Abdul Kalam
About the Author: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (1931 -2015) was born into a middle-class family in Rameswaram of Tamil Nadu state. He was the recipient of the highest civilian award of India, the Bharat Ratna. He was also elected as the eleventh President of India in 2002 and was popular as the People's President. Kalam passed away on 27 July 2015 while delivering a lecture in IIM Shillong to young students.
About the Text: The following presidential address was delivered after being sworn in as the President of India on 24 July 2002. In his speech, he presents his vision for a developed India by elaborating on the nation's strengths and the areas which require refrainment.
Kalam in his speech after being sworn in as the president conveyed thanks to the members of Parliament and State Legislatures for electing him. His responsibility as president was to realize the dream of India with prosperity, harmony and strength.
Presidential Address
APJ Abdul Kalam
1. What progress has India made in the fifty years post independence?
The song mentions that it is a crime to have small dreams. It pledges that one is ready to work and sweat for the vision of the development of the nation, the vision which will ignite the billion Indian souls. The song pledges to "keep the lamp of knowledge burning, to achieve the vision of - Developed India".
Exercises
Exercise on page 8
1. windy
2. prepaid
3. clueless
4. development
5. rebuild
6. untie
7. dutiful
8. unsound
9. flowerful
10. content
1. What progress has India made in the fifty years post independence?
India has made many significant achievements in the last fifty years. Indian civilization and heritage are built on the universal spirit. India has always stood for comradeship and extended it warm hands to the world. We have made achievements in the past 50 years in food production, health sector, higher education, media and mass communication, industrial infrastructure, information technology and defence. Our nation is endowed with abundant natural resources, vibrant people and traditions.
2. What are the problems which continue to plague the nation?
Kalam said that it was unfortunate that India, despite its abundant natural resources, vibrant society and strong traditional value system, continues to reamin as a developing country with many of its citizens still living below the poverty line, undernourished and lack of even primary education. Kalam wanted India to become poverty free, healthy and literate.
Kalam mentioned that the five characteristic elements a country must possess as defined in ‘Thirukkural’ – being disease free, wealthy, high productivity, harmonious living and strong defence. He also said that our country is also facing many challenges such as cross-border terrorism, exploitation, internal conflicts and unemployment.
3. What elements are essential to a strong nation? How should we go about building these elements?
Kalam said that it was unfortunate that India, despite its abundant natural resources, vibrant society and strong traditional value system, continues to reamin as a developing country with many of its citizens still living below the poverty line, undernourished and lack of even primary education. Kalam wanted India to become poverty free, healthy and literate.
Kalam mentioned that the five characteristic elements a country must possess as defined in ‘Thirukkural’ – being disease free, wealthy, high productivity, harmonious living and strong defence. He also said that our country is also facing many challenges such as cross-border terrorism, exploitation, internal conflicts and unemployment.
4. What does Kalam aim to achieve?
Kalam said that we must have a vision to face the nation’s challenges. The vision of transforming India into a developed nation can be achieved with Parliamentary democracy. But this should start by igniting the minds of people and by starting a movement in the country.
To highlight the importance of transacting with speed, Kalam quotes the line of the famous saint, poet, Kabir ‘ What you want to do tomorrow do it today, and what you want to do today, do it now’, Kalam also expects the structure of our constitution to be responsive to the demands of our changing situations without any fear or favour.
To survive and prosper in this fast changing world, we must develop competitiveness without our framework of co-operative federalism. Kalam asks to strive for substantive decentralisation. He also says that we must commit to the principle of secularism as all our religious stress on the unity of minds and hearts of our people.
Along with the speedy elimination of poverty and unemployment, Kalam envisions a strong and self reliant India – economically, socially and militarily. He also emphasises empowerment at all the levels – child, teacher, individual, team, women in order to realise the vision of a developed India.
5. How can we achieve the vision of a developed nation?
Kalam said that we must have a vision to face the nation’s challenges. The vision of transforming India into a developed nation can be achieved with Parliamentary democracy. But this should start by igniting the minds of people and by starting a movement in the country.
To highlight the importance of transacting with speed, Kalam quotes the line of the famous saint, poet, Kabir ‘ What you want to do tomorrow do it today, and what you want to do today, do it now’, Kalam also expects the structure of our constitution to be responsive to the demands of our changing situations without any fear or favour.
To survive and prosper in this fast changing world, we must develop competitiveness without our framework of co-operative federalism. Kalam asks to strive for substantive decentralisation. He also says that we must commit to the principle of secularism as all our religious stress on the unity of minds and hearts of our people.
Along with the speedy elimination of poverty and unemployment, Kalam envisions a strong and self reliant India – economically, socially and militarily. He also emphasises empowerment at all the levels – child, teacher, individual, team, women in order to realise the vision of a developed India.
6. What is Kalam’s vision of national development? In what way you would contribute to it?
Kalam said that we must have a vision to face the nation’s challenges. The vision of transforming India into a developed nation can be achieved with Parliamentary democracy. But this should start by igniting the minds of people and by starting a movement in the country.
To highlight the importance of transacting with speed, Kalam quotes the line of the famous saint, poet, Kabir ‘ What you want to do tomorrow do it today, and what you want to do today, do it now’, Kalam also expects the structure of our constitution to be responsive to the demands of our changing situations without any fear or favour.
To survive and prosper in this fast changing world, we must develop competitiveness without our framework of co-operative federalism. Kalam asks to strive for substantive decentralisation. He also says that we must commit to the principle of secularism as all our religious stress on the unity of minds and hearts of our people.
Along with the speedy elimination of poverty and unemployment, Kalam envisions a strong and self reliant India – economically, socially and militarily. He also emphasises empowerment at all the levels – child, teacher, individual, team, women in order to realise the vision of a developed India.
7. What does Kalam have to say about the Indian constitution?
Kalam said that we must have a vision to face the nation’s challenges. The vision of transforming India into a developed nation can be achieved with Parliamentary democracy. But this should start by igniting the minds of people and by starting a movement in the country.
To highlight the importance of transacting with speed, Kalam quotes the line of the famous saint, poet, Kabir ‘ What you want to do tomorrow do it today, and what you want to do today, do it now’, Kalam also expects the structure of our constitution to be responsive to the demands of our changing situations without any fear or favour.
To survive and prosper in this fast changing world, we must develop competitiveness without our framework of co-operative federalism. Kalam asks to strive for substantive decentralisation. He also says that we must commit to the principle of secularism as all our religious stress on the unity of minds and hearts of our people.
Along with the speedy elimination of poverty and unemployment, Kalam envisions a strong and self reliant India – economically, socially and militarily. He also emphasises empowerment at all the levels – child, teacher, individual, team, women in order to realise the vision of a developed India.
8. Describe Kalam’ vision of a developed India.
Kalam said that we must have a vision to face the nation’s challenges. The vision of transforming India into a developed nation can be achieved with Parliamentary democracy. But this should start by igniting the minds of people and by starting a movement in the country.
To highlight the importance of transacting with speed, Kalam quotes the line of the famous saint, poet, Kabir ‘ What you want to do tomorrow do it today, and what you want to do today, do it now’, Kalam also expects the structure of our constitution to be responsive to the demands of our changing situations without any fear or favour.
To survive and prosper in this fast changing world, we must develop competitiveness without our framework of co-operative federalism. Kalam asks to strive for substantive decentralisation. He also says that we must commit to the principle of secularism as all our religious stress on the unity of minds and hearts of our people.
Along with the speedy elimination of poverty and unemployment, Kalam envisions a strong and self reliant India – economically, socially and militarily. He also emphasises empowerment at all the levels – child, teacher, individual, team, women in order to realise the vision of a developed India.
9. How does Kalam describe “mental infrastructure”?
Kalam recalls the idea of Dr. G.G.Swell that “We must have a mental infrastructure. Mental infrastructure means sincerity of purpose, of vision, or purity of heart and mind”.
10. What are the two national priorities, according to Kalam?
The speedy elimination of poverty and unemployment and creating a strong and self reliant India – economically, socially and militarily are the two immediate national priorities..
11. Is the poetry Kalam quotes relevant to his speech? How? ( refer previous answers)
During his lecture, Kalam quotes famous poets like Thiagarajswamigal, Kabir, couplets from Thirukkural and thoughts of Dr. G.G.Swell. All his quotes touch our imaginations and emotions. They’re relevant, memorable and connect the audience to his message.
12. Analyse Kalam’s “song of youth” as a mission statement.
Kalam envisions the song of India which the youth can sing after India is transformed into a developed nation. He shares the song of youth which he normally recited whenever he visited any school.
The song mentions that it is a crime to have small dreams. It pledges that one is ready to work and sweat for the vision of the development of the nation, the vision which will ignite the billion Indian souls. The song pledges to "keep the lamp of knowledge burning, to achieve the vision of - Developed India".
Exercises
Exercise on page 81. windy
2. prepaid
3. clueless
4. development
5. rebuild
6. untie
7. dutiful
8. unsound
9. flowerful
10. content
