He is perhaps India's first people's President, more specifically a President who has made a unique connect with the

children of this country. As the nation celebrates its 57th Republic Day, CNN-IBN got President APJ Abdul Kalam to interact with children from across the nation on the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Senior Special Correspondent Anubha Bhonsle hosted the interaction.

Anubha: Let me take no more time. Let me begin this interaction straight away. First, question, who's going to ask? Go ahead. Nidisha Satija: Sir, you are a poet, an eminent scientist, an icon of knowledge, a supreme commander of force, President of India, so many roles Sir, which one do you like the most? President Kalam: It is a beautiful question. You know, one thing in life - you'd be happy, if whatever profession, whatever mission you do, you start liking it. Once you start liking it, you will enjoy doing it. The best performance comes out when whatever job or task you do, you start liking it. You can be a poet or anything else. The challenge, you know, what it needs is the challenge to handle any problem. That comes out of you, once you start liking a job. Anubha: I think many of you are aware that the President after completing his aeronautical engineering had two professions in front of him, one was that of technical production and the other Indian Air Force. Sir, tell us a little bit about that. President Kalam: Well, Indian Air Force, you know I was involved. Not straight away Indian Air Force, of course. I wanted to become a pilot, I had a dream to become a pilot and in 1958, I went for the pilot selection and I was not selected, because they wanted nine candidates and I was the 10th fellow. If one fellow had had some problem, I would have got it, but everybody fortunately got through. So, I was not selected. When you are a young fellow, you are disappointed. But disappointment should not defeat you. I had a teacher, all of you note down. My teacher told me - his name is Prof Satish Dabur - he told me, if you do not do anything, there is no problem. Right, you all agree? But if you do a mission, if you do a big thing, there will be big problems. But at no time you should allow the problem to be your captain or a master. You should become the master of

the problem and defeat the problem and succeed. Anubha: So, failure is not the end of the world, you should continue to strive ahead. President Kalam: Then what happened, instead of flying in the aircraft, I started making it. Aircraft and rockets and missiles. Anubha: I think we have another question on the similar lines here. Shreshth Dugar: The Indian society at large gives a lot of emphasis on success. But in the United States of America, for every successful tech company like Google, Amazon, e-bay, Yahoo!, you've got many companies which never took off really. So actually you have to fail to hit success big time. But do you think India is really ready to celebrate the effort rather than the success? President Kalam: Well, you know, as a national character, how do you take the failure? For example, you take my case. In 1979, we launched a satellite launch vehicle to put a satellite in orbit. And instead of putting the satellite in orbit, the whole satellite went into the Bay of Bengal. In 1979, it was a failure, but what happened, at that time, my chairman decided to find out the cause behind it. We were very busy in finding out why the failure took place, we worked hard for three months and found out that there is a reason for the failure. We knew what was needed to be corrected and the nation was prepared for the failure. Then next year, by July 1980, we launched the SLV-3 satellite launch vehicle. The Rohini satellites went into the orbit, it was a success. So, our nation also can celebrate success. And at the same time, it can withstand failure. But you are right, as a young fellow, you asked a very good question. Anubha: The next question is from a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Delhi, Lavi Tripathi. She wants to ask you about your personal upsets and how did you deal with them. Go ahead Lavi. Lavi Tripathi: You had to deal with a lot of upsets, like your dream project Agni, which didn't testfire twice. How do you keep your cool in such situations? President Kalam: It was in the launchpad and for sometime, it had some technical problem. Finally in 1989, within a month, we worked very hard, it took off and reached the target of 2,000 km. So, that's the happiness that you get, but what happens is most of the times, you have to concentrate, failure should not defeat you. You should know the way. So, all my team, wherever I worked, in ISRO or DRDO, the team effort was to find out the reason, what went wrong? You completely concentrate on the problem what has happened and find out a solution. That's how coolness comes. Anubha: Right President Kalam, in fact, I think patience holds a big key when you talk of scientific research and I do believe that some of the team members that you have led say that you are an innovator. You look at simple solutions. Is that true? President Kalam: Well, it is not me alone, I had a very young team. The young team was very innovative and my team members were brighter than me. Anubha: President Kalam, we have a lot of questions from people and children who are actually from across the

country. I think we can play out some of those questions. We have a question from Hyderabad, question fro Bhopal, question from Jammu. K Rajendra from Hyderabad: Namaste Sir, I am calling from Andhra Pradesh. My name is K Rajendra and I am studying at Nallakota school, AP. Sir, I came to know that you are from middle class, them how did you become a scientist? I want to become a scientist like you. Rahul Majumdar from Jammu: I am Rahul Majumdar of JK public school, Jammu. Sir, my question to you is what is the secret behind your success? Anubha: So, what's the secret behind your success, President Kalam? President Kalam: First, you have to continuously apply the knowledge. Knowledge acquisition is one of the most important characterstics of a successful human being. Knowledge comes from parents, good friends, library, a good teacher and now Internet. The second one is sweat. Sweat means your hardwork. That is, hardwork and acquisition of knowledge, these are two primary qualities and they will lead you to what you want to achieve. Now, will you repeat what I am going to say? Repeat all of you: Dreams transforms into thoughts. Thoughts results into action. Anubha: President Kalam, we have two questions: One is from Gurvisha from Bluebells school, Delhi. Gurvisha, go ahead. Gurvisha Ahuja, Delhi: Once being dubbed as the missile man of India, now that you are the President, do you still do research in this field? President Kalam: You know, I was a professor before coming here. I was teaching at a southern university, Anna University. There, when I was in the teaching profession, we prepared a document, which is called India 2020. That outlines how to transform India into a developing nation. When I joined here, the purpose is whether I can mark it to my Parliament, to my government. That is number one. Number two, I had a research student, Father George, I was guiding him for a PhD and that research guiding is still going on, I got a student. Till he becomes a PhD, I will be in touch with science and technology. Anubha: There is another student, Bhubhaneshwari wants to ask a question. Bhubhaneshwari, go ahead. Bhubhaneshwari: Did you ever have any lab accident when you were working as a scientist? President Kalam: Oh, I have had many. For example, I still remember. You know, we were preparing for a control system. A control system means a lot of propellants, rocket thrusters should be there. There were about 12 thrusters to give the guidance to the rockets or the missiles, so that it's in the pitch axis, in the roll axis and in the yaw axis. So, it controls the rocket, whenever it deviates. The computer will say you are deviating, then the control force will come into force and correct it. When we were doing the ground test, there was a high pressure gas bottle and it blasted. It is a pity that nearly 12 people were injured and we got the 12 people admitted into a hospital. One man said: "Sir don't worry, I we will keep up the schedule." In midst of the pain, he said he would do that. Anubha: President Kalam, now I have two mischievous questions, one of them is from Bhopal. Trinayani Baruah: How many times did you get punished in your school? President Kalam: I have told you my father punished me

once, in school also I got it. Twice I got it. Anubha: We have another question here from Arshia. Yes Arshia, ask the question. Arshia: You are known as a simple man, living in a single room. How do utilise the other 315 rooms of the Rashtrapati Bhawan? President Kalam: Well, they say it has 315 rooms, it is an illusion. Because most of the rooms are occupied, not only people from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, but a number of ministries work here. And so, it is always busy, we have got a beautiful guesthouse also. People come and stay and work here. It is a very lively place. You also can come and stay here. Anubha: That's an invitation of a lifetime. Soon, we will be discussing the President's 2020 plan. President Kalam did mention it earlier. But remember it's not a figure, as he himself said, it is a vision for the second India. Anubha: It's time now to speak about President's 2020 vision. Well, friends of the President call him the best bridge between the politicians and scientists. In fact, many say technocrats seldom have this talent. So, when the President actually outlined his 2020 dream, we had lots of questions, lots of minds got ignited, the first question from Parul. Parul Dongra: Sir, do you think your vision for 2020 would be successful by 2020? President Kalam: Well, it is successful for one single reason. The main reason is that there are 540 million people, who form the youth in India. That is 54 per cent people in your age. So, this youth is a very powerful resource. The ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on earth, above the earth, under the earth. All of you repeat -Ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth. Anubha: President, tell me how did you arrive at 2020? How did you conceptualise it? President Kalam: Well, you know, 2020, if you have an eye vision, it is the best vision. Physiologically, 2020 is supposed to be the best vision. So, we believe India is a developing country and it needs at least a decade and a half to become a developed nation. Because many things have to be done. Five areas - agriculture, food processing, education, healthcare, information and communication technology, infrastructure development, self-reliance, critical technology - all these five areas, simultaneouly we have to proceed. We need some time. Anubha: The idea has definitely captured the imagination of many children, many Indians. But I think there are some views, there are some fears of what perhaps could be the stumbling blocks in 2020. Amba, you have a question. Amba Gujral: The youth today is moving Westwards. How can they be made to realise that India itself has very rich potential? President Kalam: See, I personally believe that Indian children, Indian grown-ups have got certain civilisational heritage, a value system. You can have an outside dress, you can hear certain music, but the civilisational heritage is

a genetic thing. As long as genetically we have got a value system, that is going to continue. I am not afraid of Western influence. Under Western influence, you can change a dress, but it cannot change your thinking. Anubha: President Kalam, children today are extremely politically active. In fact, when we were interacting with them, we asked them about 2020. In the reality check that they did, I think, corruption came up to be a major issue there. We have two questions, let us take them both simultaneously. First you go Ipsa. Ipsa Bajaj: Today politics is considered as a filthy game and many of the politicians are corrupt. So, Sir, according to you, what influence does it have on the youth? Anubha: Rijvil why don't you also give your question. Rijvil: My question is how can a child like me remember the ethics in this unethical society? President Kalam: We are a billion people, right? A billion people live in 200 million houses. Each house has a minimum of four to five people. Now, most of Indians are good guys, you know, corruption-free people. But there are some corrupt people also. Assume 50 million people are corrupt. Now, my suggestion is, the daughter or son of the house should go to the father or mother and tell them not to be corrupt, it's not good. My teacher teaches me, corruption is bad. My grandfather, grandmother also told me corruption is bad. Why do you do that? Now, I asked the children, will you tell your parents? Then, I asked the parents, if your children come and tell you unfortunately, if you are corrupt - will you obey your children? Will you take the words of your children? What do you say, children? Will you be an instrument to remove the corruption? If you say yes, then lift your hand. How many of you, I want to see. (Nearly all the children raise their hands)

Oh, fantastic, fantastic. Now, with a big revolution taking place, the corrupt fathers will be in danger, corrupt mothers will be in danger. Anubha: So, all parents be aware. I have a very special guest here. President Kalam, she has come all the way from Nagaland. I can't pronounce her name right, so she's going to do it and she's also going to ask you a question. Go ahead. Keyipungwangle: My name is Keyipungwangle and what I want to say is - The children of Nagaland request you that we have lasting peace in our homeland. Anubha: They are young minds, do you think they are growing up too quickly? President Kalam: You know, I have visited Nagaland a number of times after I became the President. They are very bright people and the children of Nagaland asked me a lot of questions. Definitely, you will have peace, we are working for it.

Anubha: Politics affects all of them, President Kalam. Some of the students in Kashmir are really praying and looking towards you. They have a small request. We'll just play out that request on the screen.

Affan Basu: Mr President, I want to ask you why is India not having a common board of exams for students? The Kashmiris usually have their exams in October, while the rest of the country has it during March. And when after Class 12, we go to seek admission in different states, we face a lot of problem. President Kalam: I am advocating that instead of a multilanguage system, we need a central examination system. I am advocating it at the moment, and I hope I will succeed. Anubha: We have two questions from Guwahati. More than questions, they are requests, so why don't you hear them first. Moni Medhi: Sir, other schools here have computer equipment, but we don't. Please do something about this. Dhiraj Bora: We don't have any sports equipment, please help. President Kalam: I will see something is done for them. That's all I can say. Definitely, I will ensure something is done for both these kids and their schools Anubha: Now, it's time for you to ask your questions directly to the President. Remember, it's also the time the President will ask you some questions. Everybody has to be prepared with answers. First question. Student: How would you assess the last four years of your Presidency? President Kalam: I would say I targeted two things. Number one is that India becomes a developed nation, before 2021. This is the mission. I will say this process is going on in full swing. Definitely, I am happy about the outcome. Secondly, I had a mission to meet a lot of children. Up to yesterday, I have met a million children throughout the country. What you get out of meeting the children, always one can ask. And I got three things. One is that children

believe that India can become a developed nation, that is, we can do it. That is number one. Number two is that they have a lesser bias towards the world. Since you are just growing, your bias factor is low. Number three, you have got enthusiasm, and enthusiasm is a big force for the growth of the nation. Anubha: Tell me President, have you matured as a politician in these past years? I know you have spoken publicly on Bihar at a function. Are you enjoying it? President Kalam: I prefer being in politics - I have talked about it in Parliament also. In a political life, one does 30 per cent political politics. But 70 per cent you must do developmental politics. That is India 2020. Political parties should fight - 'No, no, I will do it in 10 years'; another party should say I will do it in 5 years. That is called political politics. But if they spend more time on development politics, which is, competing with each other, imagine how fast you can do development! That is a development politics. That is a good one. But when the political politics increases, from 30 per cent to 40-50, that is not good for the country. Anubha: Tell me President, will you be open to another term as a President, if it is offered? President Kalam: I have something calling me, teaching is calling me. So, as soon as I finish my term in July 2007, I will be with my students. Anubha: Oh, so you are going to go back to your students, I'm sure all the students are going to love it. I think there are some personal questions they are going to ask, go ahead. Student: Do you pray? President Kalam: Well, I pray, because prayer is a very important component. My father lived till 103 years and till that last period, he was praying five times. I pray as well. Anubha: We are running out of time, but there is one question that was in great demand from all over the country. One out of every five student's wanted to ask you that question. The question was - What was your New Year resolution? President Kalam: A New Year resolution for me is something like my billion people should smile. Anubha: On that note, President Kalam thanks very much for being a part of this interation. We've had a great time. It's been truly an inspiring session. Thank you.