Think different, travel unexplored path: Kalam

BHUBANESWAR: ‘’Learn from the lives of great scientists, dream to become like them and make the impossible possible.” This was the message for the delegates of Children’s Science Congress (CSC), that was inaugurated by former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam here on Wednesday. The three-day CSC is being organised as a part of the 99th Indian Science Congress (ISC) at KIIT University.  Urging the students to follow examples of great scientists, Kalam said science should be used for the betterment of society. “You must dream to be like the great scientists. But dream alone is not sufficient. You must also acquire knowledge, work hard and have perseverance,” he said. In a clear departure from the stage convention, the former President had an informal bi-lingual tete-ta-tete with students who were vying with each other for his attention.  Administering a pledge, Kalam said, “Children should have the unique qualities such as the courage to think differently, to invent, to travel unexplored paths, combat problems, discover  impossible and succeed.” Emphasising the role of teachers and parents in developing creativity among the students, Kalam said they should nurture the minds to bring about a healthy change in children. He said the unique feature of inventors is that they are all very creative. “It is important that imaginative minds should do unique things. I have a PhD student who has found out that the neurons in the brains improve in quality and quantity at any given age if challenged,” he said. The scientist also spoke at length about his ‘NSS Initiative on Space Solar Power Satellite’. He exhorted the attending students to write a life statement and e-mail it to him. The former President answered 10 best questions from the students. As many as 16 ISCA young scientists were felicitated at the function attended by Geeta Bali, president of 99th ISC, B P Singh, head of NCSTC (Department of Science & Technology) and MP Prasanna Patsani. Later in the day, Kalam inaugurated a children’s science exhibition organised on the sidelines of the CSC.