Excerpts from the much applauded Convocation Address of Bharat Ratna. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister
I am delighted to be at this prestigious University of Roorkee with its g lorious history of 150 years. My greetings to the graduating members and teacher s who shaped them. This day of convocation is the time of hope, aspirations and ambitions for each graduating student, his or her parents, teachers, relatives and friends. Therefore, convocation ceremonies are very special in our lives and should be used to re-kindle the fire of hope, ambitions and dreams. The ignited minds of the young are the most powerful resource on earth. As we approach the 21st century, we must recognize that there are many more challenges in front of our country and a lot is expected out of the trained youth of the country and that is what I would like to highlight on the occasion. This young nation after its independence was determined to move ahead with planned policies for Science & Technology. Thanks to several actions, India is near self-sufficiency in food, making the near famine conditions of 1950s a forgotten bad dream. Small scale industries provide 40% of National GDP- a vast change in 1990s compared to 1950s. Space research hasled to design, development and launching of world-class geo-stationary and sun-synchronous, remote sensing satellites. Nuclear research has led to nuclear power stations, nuclear medicine, nuclear irradiation of agricultural seeds. Defense research has led to development of battle tanks, missile systems, electronic warfare systems and various armors. Despite these developments, the nation still suffers from poverty, deficient education and health infrastructure, with high population growth. Thus, in India we see simultaneously the best as-well-as the worst of the world.
The 21st century youth of India must make a commitment towards uplifting India from a developing country to the status of a developed nation. Growth of knowledge and technology is integral to human development. Like knowledge is the birth-right of every individual, integrated knowledge or “Technology” is the birth-right of every sovereign country. In the first five decades India has shown the world that the growth and assimilation of knowledge can not be restrained by artificial technology control regimes. Every time india was denied a technology , the indigenous efforts in that particular field got accelerated and despite all technology denials, India is now a Missile Power and a Nuclear Weapon State. It is because our techno-economic potentials are so well recognized, that the out side powers try to contain India through various means. We have to recognize th at India will always stand alone when it comes to building India’s strength in competition with other world powers. While military conflicts are giving way to fierce economic competition, technology remains the common denominator for both types of conflicts. In the background, India has to claim its rightful place on this earth. As the second largest population with seventh largest land area, India today rates only as the 15th largest economy and rates even more poorly in terms of productivity. These are primarily technology challenges that must be met and overcome in the shortest time. This must become the next mission for the Indian intellectuals. The next 50 years belong to you. It is you who must take India to the status of a developed nation, not in 50 years but much earlier than that, so that India can emerge as a world class leader during your lifetime.
Missions are accomplished through visions of the leaders and teachers. As we approach the 21st century, we Indians must have a common vision to transform India into an economically vibrant, industrially developed, prosperous, peaceful nation. It is with these objectives that the “Technology Vision 2020” as been evolved at the national level. This vision consists of 17 technology packages a nd 35 documents detailing the steps to be taken for creating wealth for the nation and the well-being of our people. The vision deals with agro-food processing and agriculture, information technology and education, healthcare, electric power, civil aviation, waterways, engineering industries, life sciences and biotechnology, strategic industries and materials. A strong partnership among the Govern ment R&D, the industry, the academy and the community as a whole will be essential to fructify the vision.
Friends, I request all who are responsible for the young, all who are creators of the young; for their children’s growth, allow them to dream. Dream, Dream, Dream. Dream transforms into thoughts and thoughts result into actions. Whenever there is a challenge, we seem to perform well. We fought the sanctions and technology denials and proved to the world that we can do high technology in this country. “Developed India” will be a reality by mounting a “National Movement ”. Everyone of us has a role to play in this noble cause.
