Creative leaders needed for developed India beyond 2020: A P J Abdul Kalam

"Today PURA system has graduated to a unique system of sustainable development across the world.

The vision is creating a sustainable development system through the creation of three connectivities namely physical connectivity, knowledge connectivity and electronic connectivity leading to the economic connectivity," he said.

As chairman of the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Kalam had presented a document on technology vision 2020 as blueprint to make India into a developed country.

Last evening, he introduced a new model--"user community pyramid which uses a convergence of technology to bring development to people using natural resources optimally for generations to come.

" Also to monitor whether qualitative and quantitative benefits had reached the bottom of the pyramid to users like farmers, fishermen, Kalam explained another concept he dubbed as the "Societal Development Radar.

" The former President took the example of highly populated Uttar Pradesh, a state where half the population comprising "100 million are young people," to explain his model.

To realise all these, Kalam said there is need for a creative leader about whom he felt the need during his stints in ISRO and PURA.

Taking a related audience question after his speech, Kalam said, "In the 1960s, we had political leaders like C Subramanium and technology leader like M S Swaminathan.... Then there was V Sarabhai... these were all visionary leaders."

"Do you think politics is dirty? Our parents tell us to keep away from politic," a young boy posed a question to Kalam.

"That time has gone. I have met 15 million young people at least so far and 50 to 100 hands out of 1000s want to become political leaders. There is a change in the attitude today (toward politics). A creative leader means not only non- political. Mahatma Gandhi was a political creative leader, so in politics also creative leader are there," responded Kalam.

... contd.

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