DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

Address to the Students and Faculty Members of

Defence Service Staff College, Wellington

24 February 2007

A Day With The Supreme Commander

24 Feb 2007 would go down in the annals of the history of DSSC, as one of the high points of not just the 62nd course but the College itself. On this day, his Excellency Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the President of India and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces visited the Staff College to address the students and the faculty. It was a rare opportunity to meet and interact with the living legend, the ‘Missile man of India’. His simplicity and humility coupled with his vast scientific and technological knowledge make him one of the greatest sons of our country and a leading progressive mentor, innovator and visionary. His unassuming comportment and undying compassion give him an aura which radiates positive vibes all around. His views left all of us feeling part of a strong, dynamic and vibrant society with a great future.

The President’s visit commenced with his address to the College on ‘India - Vision 2020’. He held the audience spellbound with his in-depth understanding of the Indian psyche, its current problems and his envisioned solutions. He emphasised the importance of ‘belief in thyself’, which will propel India to his vision of a healthy, poverty free, energetic and powerful country. He prompted the audience, whom he addressed as ‘future commanders’, to seek out why, even though India has been repeatedly invaded in her recent history of 2500 years, she never invaded other nations! He hinted that in the answer lay the whole essence of our thinking, and we must understand this, prior to evolving big philosophy, big strategy and the grand national plan. The President pointed to the need for all of us to reengineer our thoughts, our concepts and our strategy and pave the way for an emergent Indian psyche. He emphasised that national security depended upon our economic growth and prosperity on one hand and the capability to defend our nation against all types of threats on the other. He stated that our country was progressing on both fronts and the Armed Forces had a key role in both.

Thereafter the President, while answering questions posed by the student officers, explained the concept of PURAs (Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas) in the context of our country and the progress achieved so far. He also reiterated the need to take the neighbouring countries along in the path of economic growth and in achieving political stability. Suspecting that the rapid strides in economic growth are not reflected in the quality of life of a large number of people in our country, the President defined what is called "National Prosperity Index" which is a summation of the annual growth rate of GDP, minimum level of quality of life for the citizens of the country and the value system derived from our civilisation’s heritage, which is unique to India. He stated that in future the stress should be on improving the National Prosperity Index rather than on the isolated growth rate of GDP.

In his typically simple and humble style, the president shared his experiences with the men in uniform at Siachen glacier, on-board a submarine at sea and in the cockpit of a Sukhoi fighter high in the skies. The President while commending the dedication of the Armed Forces guarding our frontiers in multiple dimensions even in the harshest of conditions, expressed his confidence that the security of the country was in safe hands.

Thereafter the President took time off to interact with school children thereafter and shared his thoughts with the student officers and the faculty of the college over tea. The visit left an indelible impression on one and all. It would definitely be an occasion to cherish and remember for times to come.

Before leaving Wellington, the President met Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, presently convalescing in the MH here. It was a study in contrast to watch the two icons of Indian military might together.