A. P. J. Abdul Kalam @ Coimbatore
Former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam talks to delegates of ‘Super Congress 09’, at Kumaraguru College of Technology in the city on Wednesday. Coimbatore: “Remove nukes from the earth and remove poverty by generating employment”- this was Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s message to the youth. Addressing the Super Congress 09, an international jamboree for world peace, Kalam said that poverty is our greatest enemy. “Youth power, if properly directed can bring peace and prosperity,” he said.
He advised the youth to think outside the box to tackle water scarcity and global warming. Quoting Gandhi, he said that if we could save or better a life, we are blessed. The crowd gathered at the Kumaraguru College of Technology was overwhelmed by his presence. They applauded him and followed his speech with rapt attention. The Children of 18 countries in gathering furiously clicked their cameras to every gesture of his. “With righteousness in your heart and an ignited mind, you are the winner,” said Kalam to a thunderous applause of approval from the crowd. “The ignited minds of youth were the most powerful resource,” he added.
His work in the nuclear programme, space programme and social work, Kalam said, had taught him leadership skills. He called upon all youth to become leaders in their fields. “Small aims are a crime,” he said. Recounting his visit to the IBM Labs in Bangalore, Kalam said that people of different nationalities, speaking different languages worked there to solve problems. This proved that education could bring about unity, he added. In a moving gesture, Kalam wrapped a shawl presented to him, by Sakthi Group chairman N. Mahalingam, to Minoti Aram of Shanti Ashram. B. K. Krishanraj Vanavarayar thanked all those present at the event and the volunteers, for making the five-day meet a success.
Volunteers have toiled for the last three months organising the fest, which was attended by nearly 1,000 teenagers. Augustino Spolti, from Teens for Unity, called upon the delegates to live the golden principle of doing unto others as they would like others to do to them. He screened a video of Chiara Lubich- the founder of the Focolare Movement, the main organisation behind the congress. Mahalingam asked the delegates to strive for world peace and employment generation, walking in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi.
