Abdul Kalam Visits University Malaya

By Thanusya Shanmuganathan

Kuala Lumpur, 29 Aug 08 – Dr. J. A. P. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India came to University of Malaya to present his speech entitled “My Vision for Youths”. The event was held at the Chancellor Hall and was graced by fellow students of UM, as well as members of the public.

India’s former president and Dr JAP Abdul Kalam is a visionary, inspirational icon and mentor to millions of the country’s youth. True to his reputation, the rocket scientist is also very much down to earth.

One can’t help but be awed by Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam who emanates inspiration not only from his sheer cerebral presence but also from his simplicity and humility.

Igniting minds

The former Indian President and the country’s most prominent rocket scientist has been sharing his knowledge and spreading his charm since arriving in the country on a four-day visit from Thursday.

The areas include energy independence – the transformation from fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal towards renewable energy sources like hydro, solar and nuclear powers – water desalination using solar energy, healthcare through diagnosis, development and production of vaccines, and food production and processing.

He said it could also cover knowledge products like software and hardware, including the development of micro and nano electronic devices, transportation systems using bio-fuel, natural disaster prediction and management and capacity building of the populations with world class skills.

Besides his scientific credentials, Dr Abdul Kalam is also an accomplished poet and a musician who plays the veena. But qualifications and qualities aside, he has always remained down to earth.

The bachelor, vegetarian and teetotaller has often stressed that he only wished to be remembered as a “human being” after he passes on.

When asked what he really valued as his biggest contribution on Thursday, Dr Abdul Kalam said: “I think my biggest contribution is to the youth of India. We now have 540 million young people who have built confidence in themselves. They are saying: I can do it, we can do it and the nation can do it.

“As I always say, the ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth. I am convinced that youth power, if properly directed and controlled, can bring about transformational changes in humanity.”

Unlike most scientists, he does not only talk about technological advancement during lectures and seminars but also makes it a point to infuse a sense of spirituality and the need to adopt the right values in imparting knowledge.

“Material wealth and technology can make life and earning capacity better but we need something more beyond our mind and soul. All countries have their own civilisation heritage. India has, Malaysia has. From this heritage, certain positive characteristics should enter into our value systems.”

As a Muslim in a secular but Hindu-majority India, Dr Abdul Kalam is revered for his efforts in forging unity and tolerance among faiths. He reportedly reads the Quran and the Bhagavad Gita with equal devotion.

When asked what his message would be to Malaysia’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious population, he said: “Based on what I have studied, I believe that all religions have two components. One is theology; the other is spirituality. For theology, every religion has its own unique system, which it protects.

“But spirituality is the common factor for all religions. It is the bridge that connects all religions.”