Shillong: He had gone into eternity in this city and Shillong paid homage to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on his 90th birth anniversary on Saturday at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis of IIM Shillong.
In his address to the B-school students, Member of NITI Aayog and Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Vijay Kumar Saraswat, who had also served as the Director-General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Chief Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, narrated his experience working with Dr Kalam and how this collaboration, which lasted more than 25 years, changed his life.
Saraswat shared the dream that late Kalam saw for India “Vision 2020” and pondered if it was realised.
In light of the upcoming “Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav”, he shared his decade-old conversation with Dr Kalam about making India self-reliant and how he saw that dream unfolding in present India and pointed out the five crucial pillars for the emergence of self-reliant India – economy, infrastructure, system, demography, and demand.
Saraswat pointed out how the increase in FDI limit for the defence sector, to 74 per cent from 49 per cent will benefit India.
Saraswat cited examples from the defence sector where India has started building indigenous computing systems and microprocessors and ventured towards more advanced technologies like Super Computers and AI-based Computing.
He also talked about the perils of the pandemic and the government’️s structured approach in achieving a “V shape recovery” with timely lockdowns.
“India at 75 has 360-degree growth where it possesses all the ingredients and potential required to become a leader in the world,” Saraswat observed.
“The legacy that IIM Shillong shares with their beloved Dr Kalam made this session special for all the students giving them insights into the ideas and dreams of a visionary. Hearing about the life and achievements of Dr Kalam instilled a sense of pride and motivation in all the students. The stories of realizing Dr Kalam’s visions will surely make their beliefs stronger and push them to keep dreams alive through sincere and innovative pursuits,” an IIM spokesperson said.
