Date:01/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100160800400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Students must teach underprivileged children during vacation: Kalam

Staff Reporter

— Photo: S.R.Raghunathan

JUBILANT: Former President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam handing over the first copy of a souvenir to A.M.M Foundation trustee M.A.Alagappan to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar Higher Secondary School, Ambattur, on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: Students must teach underprivileged children to help India become a developed nation, former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said here on Tuesday.

Interacting with students at the golden jubilee celebrations of Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar Higher Secondary School, Ambattur, Mr. Kalam said they must attempt to teach at least five underprivileged children to read or write during their school vacation.

What are the qualities essential for those aspiring to become a scientist, a student asked. “You must have an aim, quest for knowledge, hard work and perseverance. Develop the habit of reading books of various genres,” said Mr.Kalam.

On his inspiration for his book ‘Wings of Fire,’ he said it was a tribute to his teachers. “My primary school science teacher Sivasubramania Iyer is responsible for my growth. Vikram Sarabhai (founder of India’ space programme) is another person I regard as my ‘guru’ (teacher),” he said.

Mr. Kalam also answered questions on brain drain in the country, cultural impact of development in science, sewage recycling and nanotechnology.

Besides making the students take pledges to be honest citizens and help others in distress, he taught a new equation to them. Creativity, righteousness and courage are the three essential components to acquire knowledge and success, Mr. Kalam said.

He commended the A.M.M. Foundation for providing quality education to nearly 3,200 students in the neighbourhood. Mr.Kalam distributed prizes to the winners of various inter-school competitions held as part of the golden jubilee celebrations. He handed over the first copy of the souvenir to M.A. Alagappan, the foundation’s trustee and chairman of Murugappa Group.

The Foundation’s managing trustee, M.V. Subbiah, said the school was named after A. Ramaswami Mudaliar, a statesman who served as last Dewan of Mysore. It catered for economically backward students of which about 50 per cent were first generation learners.

The foundation provided medical service to over 7 lakh underprivileged patients and education to 11,000 students every year, he said.

M.M. Murugappan, one of the trustees of the foundation, and school headmaster G. Venkatachalam participated in the programme.