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| Edited By: Shreya Badola |Source: DNA |Updated: Nov 21, 2013, 01:44 PM IST
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has earned sobriquets like ‘People’s President’ and ‘Missile Man’, which he says, “strengthens (my) resolve to see a smile on each of the billion Indians”. The former President, who decided to follow his “passion of being a teacher, post the presidential tenure”, has released his recent book, Target 3 Billion, which he co-authored together with his former student Srijan Pal.
What’s Target 3 Billion
all about?
More than three billion people live in the rural regions… their empowerment is critically important from the perspective of inclusive development, sustained peace and shared prosperity of the world. The untapped potential rural population and talent will be great treasure.
What do you vest interest in?
Books are my favourite friends, and I consider my home library, with many thousand books, to be my greatest wealth. Every new book, based on some new idea inspires me and gives me a new thought to ponder. I enjoy reading and writing poetry. I like music, which heals the mind; I especially like Carnatic and Hindustani Classical Music.
Your favourite reads?
Some of my favourite books are — Light from Many Lamps: A Treasury of Inspiration by Lillian Eichler Watson, Empires of the Mind: Lessons to Lead and Succeed In a Knowledge-Based World by Denis Waitley, Everyday Greatness by Stephen R Covey and David K Hatch, Medicine and Compassion by Chief Monk Choakyi Nyima Rinpoche and Dr David R Shlim, and Tiya by Samarpan.
What’s next?
I keep writing to express my thoughts on how to realise an economically developed India by 2020 and how to ignite the youth. Two books will come out in this direction, within 2012, and you will hear more about these works at the appropriate time.
You inspire many, but who’s it that you are inspired by?
My inspiration is my science teacher in school, Shri Sivasubramania Iyer, who taught me when I was in 8th standard at the age of 13.
Any message for the youth?
First, be unique. Second, remember that the 21st century India requires you to ‘work with integrity and succeed with integrity’. Third, the spirit of ‘What Can I Give’ shall replace the attitude of ‘What Can I Take’ — which is what causes greed, leading to problems like corruption, environmental degradation and moral turpitude.
