We can do it, says Kalam in last Prez speech

After five eventful years in Rashtrapati Bhavan, outgoing President A P J Abdul Kalam favours building of India as a developed nation where governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free.

In his farewell address to the nation, he said his mission in life would be to bring connectivity between billion hearts and minds of people in the multicultural society and to embed the self confidence that 'we can do it.'

"I will be always with you, dear citizens, in the great mission of making India a developed nation before 2020," 75-year old Kalam said.

Describing his tenure in Rashtrapati Bhavan as 'five beautiful and eventful years,' he said, "Today, it is indeed a thanks giving occasion."

The missile-scientist said that he 'enjoyed every minute' of his tenure with his "wonderful association" with people from different walks of life including politicians as also those associated with business, judiciary, academics, youth and special children.

While outlining a 10-point vision for turning India as a developed nation, the President said a developed India should have a divide between urban and rural population reduced to a think line and there should be equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water.

"A nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free; a nation that is one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership," were among the 10 points listed by Kalam.

Kalam cautioned that in the pursuit of economic growth, care needs to do be taken for preserving the rich and diverse treasure of the culture and civilisation of the country.

"It is our duty for our future generations. This has to be done on a much larger scale through countrywide participation of multiple institutions," he said.

In his earlier speeches, he has contended that economic growth rate should be measured against poor becoming prosperous. He has come out with a National Prosperity Index whose three components were -- annual growth rate of GDP, improvement in quality of life of the people, particularly those living below the poverty line plus, and the adoption of a value system derived from the civilisational heritage in every walk of life that is unique to India.

Kalam, in his last speech as President, brought out various experiences and asked people to take resolve to work for realising the missions of developed India 2020.

The missile-man, whose popularity earned him a reputation of being a people's President, highlighted that eradication of poverty should be addressed to and envisaged a society free of illiteracy, crimes against women and children and no one felt alienated as important elements in taking India in the category of developed nations.

Stressing on a sustainable growth path for a prosperous, healthy, secure, peaceful and happy country, he said developed nation should be a best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists and investors.

The developed nation, according to Kalam, should also include ensuring health care to all, education with value system to the meritorious candidates irrespective of societal or economic stature and where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony.

Sharing his experiences during his travel within the country and abroad, Kalam said empowering of over six lakh villages for development in the country and establishing nearly 7000 Providing Urban amenities in Rural Area centres across the country will help in bridging the rural and urban divide.

Kalam, as the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces of the country, did not forget to mention about the forces in his farewell address.

"Our defence forces are in a beautiful mission. When the nation sleeps during night, members of our defence teams are awake to guard us and remain vigilant to counter any threats."

Being the first Head of the State to undertake arduous defence adventures, Kalam recalled his visits to 'Kumar Point' at Siachen Glacier, underwater journey in Sindhurakshak submarine and taking a flight in Sukhoi-30 fighter jet.

"In these three experiences, I personally felt proud of our ever vigilant soldiers, sailors and air warriors performing their task beyond the call of their duty even in the most adverse circumstances -- natural or man made."

Kalam did not forget to mention the 100-million dollar pan-African E-Network Project, designed to help bridge the digital divide in Africa, a project considered as his brain child that was cleared by the Union Cabinet earlier this month as a parting gift.

As part of the project 12 universities -- seven from India and five from Africa, 17 super-specialty hospitals -- 12 from India, five from Africa, 53 tele-medicine centres and 53 tele-education centres in Africa will be connected. The project will use Indian expertise in IT, education and healthcare to deliver affordable distance education and tele-medical services in 53 countries across the continent via a network of satellite, fibre optics and wireless.

The President expressed happiness that Indian experience was beginning benefits of technology to the people in Africa to bring about societal transformation in the entire African continent.

While concluding his speech, Kalam said, "I was touched by the variety of Indian panorama, emotional content to the tune, cultural diversity and unity of minds in the vast land of ours."

"With the ignited minds of the 540 million youth below the age of 25, which I consider is the most powerful resource on the earth, under the earth and above the earth, we have to empower the youth through values based education and leadership."