Kalam Confident About India’s Growth
By UCA News
Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has said that India’s youth are the biggest resource of the country who could propel growth.
He was speaking after receiving the Chavara Samskruthi Puraskar 2012 in Kochi from Cardinal George Alencherry at the Sacred Heart College.
Kalam said that the economic slowdown in the West will not impede India from achieving the Vision 2020 mission.
He said that when Vision 2020 was formulated, the target GDP growth was 10 per cent. “But economic slowdown led to its decline. The country can achieve the vision if it registers a growth rate of 8-9 per cent in the next eight years.” he added.
he missile man said that millions of small-scale industries across the country, IT export and cost-effective pharmaceutical industry will also help the country achieve its goals.
In response to query by a student on the significance of nuclear power for the country which as always stood for peace, he said the country’s nuclear weapon capabilities are only for its self-protection.
Emphasizing on the significance of research, Kalam said though there are over 400 universities in the country, the prominence of research is low.
“The 12th Five-Year Plan has laid stress on research activities and it will help overcome the lull in this area,” he said.
He said education, economic development and spirituality are essential for the evolution of the society.
“The society should evolve to respect differences,” he said.
Fr Prasanth Palakkappillil, principal of the college, was also present on the occasion.
Source: Times of India
