SHILLONG, OCT 15: IIM Shillong commemorated the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former president of India, at its campus on Thursday. A Scientific Seminar on ‘Science and Humanism for National Development’ was organised, keeping in mind his contribution to science and his objective of social development.
The seminar saw eminent speakers such as Dr W Selvamurthy, Former Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller, DRDO, Swami Atmapriyanandaji Maharaj, Vice Chancellor, Ramakrishna Vivekananda University, Belur , Dr Tapan Misra, Director, Space Application Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad and Dr R A Mashelkar, National Research Professor and CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow, National Chemical Laboratory, on stage offering valuable insights into the aspirations, achievements, and ideals of Dr Kalam.
While remembering the various times that Dr. Kalam had visited the institute and given a lecture to the students, IIM-Shillong director Dr. Amitabh De presented an overview regarding the initiatives to be undertaken by the institute and the students. A 2000 sq. ft. auditorium with the capacity to seat 200 students will be established in the name of Dr. Kalam.
A bust of Dr Kalam shall be erected in front of the auditorium. A ‘Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam centre for Policy Research’ will be established keeping with his objective of societal development.
An initiative ‘Nurturing Minds’, beginning on the October 17 is to be undertaken by the students, to teach mathematics to school students starting from class VIII.
In the initial phase, classes of two-hour duration are to be conducted every Saturday for selected students nominated by local schools. An annual function will be organized every year to honour Dr Kalam, who delivered his last lecture in IIM Shillong, hours before his sudden demise.
The seminar progressed with the speakers giving individual insights into Dr. Kalam’s contribution to the country and his ideas and opinions.
Dr Kalam believed that teaching is a step and not an end. His greatest contribution was seen as the fusion of humanism and science, in keeping with his ideals that love of humanity is humility and that without humanity the world is incomplete. Dr Kalam was described as a president, a scientist, a teacher, a leader, the father of missile technology of the country, an epitome of excellence and a fusion of science and spirituality.
It was mentioned how UNO has declared October 15 as ‘World Students’ Day’ to commemorate him. Details regarding certain landmarks in technology innovation in the country were mentioned. Dr Kalam’s initiative PURA (Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas) was discussed, along with his contribution to missile technology.
It was said that Dr Kalam was a person who built many extraordinary organisations with ordinary people, through his inspirational leadership. He believed that all technology is useless if it is not simple and does not help to solve a man’s real life problems.
His extraordinary leadership skills were attributed to his humility, purity of heart and his ability to connect with every individual at every level.
Finally, the IIM Shillong student fraternity undertook an initiative in which the students and faculty were involved in spray painting a large canvas, to reveal a sketch of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam underneath.
This activity was conducted to salute the ‘Missile Man’ who inspired a nation till his last breath. This will be followed by the release of a video tribute on social media platforms.- By Our Reporter
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