UNIT – I
ABDUL KALAM’S PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Introduction:
Dr. APJ Kalam was nominated as the eleventh
President of India in 2002 and
was popularly known as “People’s
President”. In his address delivered after being sworn in as the
President of India, he expounds on his vision for a developed India.
In his lecture, he elaborates on the
nation’s strengths and the areas which need improvement. The distinguished
gathering included Former President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Deputy PM,
Chief Justice, Leader of the Opposition, Governors, Chief Ministers, MPs and others. Addressing all of them with reverence, the new President quotes Thiagarajswamigal’s Keerthana — “Endaro
Mahaanubhavalu andhariggi vandanmulu” — which means, “I salute all the great
noble-hearted human beings.”
He said he was overwhelmed by the
faith the nation had reposed in him. He thanks
the Members of Parliament and State legislatures for having elected him.
He thanks everyone for having entrusted him with such great responsibility and
promises to endeavour to fulfill the aspirations of people in realizing their
shared dream of prosperity, harmony and strength.
Q1.
What progress has India made in the fifty years since independence?
Ans. India has made significant
achievements in the last fifty years. Indian civilizational heritage is built
on universal spirit. India has always stood for friendship and extends warm hands to the world. We have made significant
achievements in the last 50 years in food production, health sector,
higher education, media and mass communication, industrial infrastructure,
information technology and defence. Our nation is endowed with natural
resources, vibrant people and traditional value system.
Q2.
What are the problems which continue to plague the nation?
Q3.
What elements are essential to a strong nation? How should we go about building
these elements? (Also add next Answer)
Ans. Kalam says that it is
unfortunate that India, despite its rich natural resources, vibrant society and
strong traditional value system, continues to remain as a developing country
with many of its citizens still living below the poverty line, undernourished
and lacking in even primary education. He wants India to become poverty free,
healthy and literate.
Kalam quotes the five characteristic
elements a country should possess as defined in “Thirukkural” – being disease
free, wealthy, having high productivity, harmonious living and strong defence.
Kalam says that our country is also
facing challenges such as cross-border terrorism, internal conflicts and
unemployment.
Q4.
What does Kalam’s movement aim to achieve?
Q5.
How can we achieve the vision of a developed nation?
Q6.What
is Dr. Kalam’s vision of national development? In what way would you contribute
to it?
Q7.
What does Kalam have to say about the constitution?
Q8.
Describe Kalam’s vision of a developed India.
Ans. Kalam says that we must have a
vision to face the nation’s challenges. The vision of transforming India into a
developed nation can be achieved with Parliamentary democracy. But this should
start by igniting the minds of people and by starting a movement in the
country.
To highlight the importance of
transacting with speed, Kalam quotes the lines of the famous saintly poet Kabir
“What you want to do tomorrow do it today, and what you want to do today, do it
now’. Kalam also expects the structure of our constitution to be responsive to
the demands of our changing situations without any fear or favour.
To survive and prosper in this
fast-changing world, we must develop competitiveness within our framework of
co-operative federalism. Kalam asks to strive for substantive decentralisation.
Kalam says that we must be committed
to the principle of secularism as all our religions stress on the unity of
minds and hearts of our people.
Along with the speedy elimination of
poverty and unemployment, Kalam envisions a strong and self reliant India – economically,
socially and militarily.
Kalam emphasises empowerment at all
levels – child, teacher, individual, team, women in order to realise the vision
of a developed India.
Q9.
How does Kalam describe “mental infrastructure”?
Ans. Kalam recalls the idea of Dr.
G.G.Swell that “We must have a mental infrastructure. Mental infrastructure
means sincerity of purpose, of vision, or purity of heart and mind”.
Q10.
What are the two national priorities, according to Kalam?
Ans. The speedy elimination of
poverty and unemployment and
creating a strong and self
reliant India – economically, socially and militarily are the two immediate
national priorities..
Q11.
Is the poetry Kalam quotes relevant to his speech? How? ( refer previous
answers)
Ans . During his lecture, Kalam
quotes famous poets like Thiagarajswamigal,
Kabir, couplets from Thirukkural and thoughts of Dr. G.G.Swell. All his
quotes touch
our imaginations and emotions. They’re relevant, memorable and connect the
audience to his message.
Q12.
Analyse Kalam’s “song of youth” as a mission statement.
Ans. Kalam envisions the song of
India which the youth can sing after India is transformed into a developed
nation. He shares the song of youth which he normally recited when ever he
visited any school.
The song mentions that it is a crime
to have small dreams. It pledges that one is ready to work and sweat for the
vision of the development of the nation, the vision which will ignite the
billion Indian souls. The song pledges to "keep the lamp of knowledge burning, to achieve the vision of - Developed
India".
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