Date:20/03/2007 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/20/stories/2007032014550100.ht
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NEW DELHI: Calling for a healthier and happier "National Prosperity Index",
President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on Monday said though the country's Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) was growing at nearly 9 per cent per year, the economic
growth was not "fully reflected" in the quality of life of a vast number of people in
rural and even urban areas.
"We have evolved what is called National Prosperity Index which is a summation
of: a) annual growth rate of GDP; b) improvement in quality of life of the people,
particularly those living below the poverty line; plus c) the adoption of a value
system derived from our civilisational heritage in every walk of life which is unique
to India," said Dr. Kalam at a special function organised to mark the 81st Annual
Day of Delhi University's grand old Shri Ram College of Commerce.
Creative leadership
"For success in your missions you have to become creative leaders. Creative
leadership means exercising the vision to change the traditional role from
commander to coach, manager to mentor, director to delegator and from
one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect. For a
prosperous and developed India, the important thrust will be on the generation of
a number of creative leaders," said Dr. Kalam.
It was full house at the college with the audience listening to the President in rapt
attention. Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental, Bharatiya Janata Party
leader Arun Jaitley (who is an old boy of the college), SRCC Governing Body
Chairman Ajay Shriram, Principal P. C. Jain, teachers, students and parents
attended the function.
Mission for SRCC
Stating that he had proposed this concept to the Union Government, he suggested
that the SRCC faculty members facilitate a discussion among students for deriving
"comprehensive parameters" that should be included in NPI and asked them to
correspond with him regarding this through e-mail.
Focus on research
Focusing on the need for more research in the country, Dr. Kalam said: "Good
teaching emanates from research... Any institution is judged by the level and
extent of the research work it accomplishes... Shri Ram College of Commerce with
its core competence in commerce, economics and business management should
now enter into Ph. D. programmes in these subjects."
`Difficult' questions
After his address, Dr. Kalam fielded "difficult" questions from students ranging
from his interest in spirituality and religion to improving the country's agricultural
situation, from the States' role in Special Economic Zones to his expectations from
the youth.
Asked if there was any clash between his personal views and the high office he
occupied, Dr. Kalam said the nation's growth was more important than anything
else and that the country was bigger than the political parties.
Role of corporates
In response to a query on the role of corporates in society, the President said both
private and government-owned corporates had a social responsibility.
All the students who posed questions to the President got a photo-op with Dr.
Kalam at the end of his address.
Conclusion:
http://presidentofindia.nic.in/scripts/sllatest1.jsp?id=1005
Since you all belong to the Commerce and Economics stream, I would like to
discuss with you the linkage between national economic development and creative
leadership: -
For success in all your missions you have to become creative leaders. Creative
leadership means exercising the vision to change the traditional role from the
commander to the coach, manager to mentor, from director to delegator and from
one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect. For a prosperous and
developed India, the important thrust will be on the generation of a number of
creative leaders from our educational institution. I am sure the Shri Ram College
of Commerce will generate many creative leaders who will make an impact in the
process of national development.
My best wishes to all the members of Shri Ram College of Commerce, success in
their mission of promoting value based education in Commerce and Economics for
our Indian youth.