The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Dr. Kalam played a pioneering role in making India’s defence and space systems self-reliant. He was addressing the gathering at an event to Flag-off Rally for ‘Clean and Green India’ as part of 86th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, here today.The Vice President said that Dr. Kalam, a boat maker’s son, who used to distribute newspapers as a young boy to support the family, rose to become the First Citizen of India through sheer hard work, perseverance and self-belief. He further said that the ‘People’s President’ used to advice school children and youngsters to ‘Dare to dream and reach for the sky’.
The Vice President said that despite occupying the exalted position of the President of India, Dr. Kalam always remained simple and humble and treated all those who had worked with him or became acquainted with him with affection and warmth, irrespective of their position or background. The Vice President remembered that he had met him on several occasions and every discussion with him was a learning experience for him.The Vice President said that Dr. Kalam’s vision was to see a fully transformed India as a developed country by 2020 and he was convinced that the country could achieve that status because of the talent, sincerity and hard working nature of the people. He often used to say that ‘strength respects strength’ and wanted India to emerge as a leading economic power, he added.