ABDUL KALAM’S PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

UNIT - I

ABDUL KALAM’S PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Introduction:

Dr. APJ Kalam was nominated as the eleventh  President of India in 2002 and  was popularly known as “People’s  President”. In his address delivered after being sworn in as the President of India, he expounds on his vision for a developed India.

            In his lecture, he elaborates on the nation’s strengths and the areas which need improvement. The distinguished gathering included Former President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Deputy PM, Chief Justice, Leader of the Opposition, Governors, Chief Ministers,  MP’s and others. Addressing all of them with reverence, the new President  quotes Thiagarajswamigal’s Keerthana — “Endaro Mahaanubhavalu andhariggi vandanmulu” — which means, “I salute all the great noble-hearted human beings.”

              He said he was overwhelmed by the faith the nation had reposed in him. He thanks the Members of Parliament and State legislatures for having elected him. He thanks everyone for having entrusted him with such great responsibility and promises to endeavour to fulfill the aspirations of people in realizing their shared dream of prosperity, harmony and strength.

Q1. What progress has India made in the fifty years since independence?

Ans. India has made significant achievements in the last fifty years. Indian civilization heritage is built on universal spirit. India has always stood for friendship and extends warm hands to the world. We have made significant achievements in the last 50 years in food production, health sector, higher education, media and mass communication, industrial infrastructure, information technology and defence. Our nation is endowed with natural resources, vibrant people and traditional value system.

Q2. What are the problems which continue to plague the nation?

Q3. What elements are essential to a strong nation? How should we go about building these elements?  

Ans. Kalam says that it is unfortunate that India, despite its rich natural resources, vibrant society and strong traditional value system, continues to remain as a developing country with many of its citizens still living below the poverty line, undernourished and lacking in even primary education. He wants India to become poverty free, healthy and literate.

Kalam quotes the five characteristic elements a country should possess as defined in “Thirukkural” – being disease free, wealthy, having high productivity, harmonious living and strong defence.

Kalam says that our country is also facing challenges such as cross-border terrorism, internal conflicts and unemployment.

Q4. What does Kalam’s movement aim to achieve?

Q5. How can we achieve the vision of a developed nation?

Q6.What is Dr. Kalam’s vision of national development? In what way would you contribute to it?

Q7. What does Kalam have to say about the constitution?

Q8. Describe Kalam’s vision of a developed India.

Ans. Kalam says 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 lines of the famous saintly 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 within our framework of co-operative federalism. Kalam asks to strive for substantive decentralisation.

Kalam says that we must be committed to the principle of secularism as all our religions 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.

Kalam emphasises empowerment at all levels – child, teacher, individual, team, women in order to realise the vision of a developed India.

Q9. How does Kalam describe “mental infrastructure”?

Ans. 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”.

Q10. What are the two national priorities, according to Kalam?

Ans. 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..

Q11. Is the poetry Kalam quotes relevant to his speech? How? 

Ans . During his lecture, Kalam quotes famous poets like Thiagarajswamigal, Kabir, couplets from Thirukkural and thoughts of Dr. G.G.Swell. The idea of Dr. G.G.Swell , “We must have a mental infrastructure. Mental infrastructure means sincerity of purpose, of vision, or purity of heart and mind”.

All his quotes touch our imaginations and emotions. They’re relevant, memorable and connect the audience to his message.

Q12. Analyse Kalam’s “song of youth” as a mission statement.

Ans. 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 when ever 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".