When technology is outspacing indigenous methods of teaching in the field of education too, former president of India A P J Abdul Kalam said that ‘technology can never replace a teacher’.
He was interacting with the students at JSS Medical College, Bannimantap in the city on Friday.
The interactive programme titled- Heart to Heart with Kalam, was apt for the scientist in Kalam to bare his heart for many posers.
Said Kalam: “It’s either parents in a spiritual environment or a high school teacher who can contribute the human development”.
Recalling
Citing his own example, Kalam went down memory lane recalling his days in school as a 10-year-old boy. Inspired by his physics teacher Shivasubramanya Iyer, he decided to make a career in something related to flight. He indeed achieved by developing missiles, to be known as ‘missile man’.
Kalam gave a call to the universities to rely on research, which would make teaching effective.
The area of research should be the focus to excel in the realm, he further said.
He also had a call for the students, to be a part of development by excelling in academics irrespetive of fields.
Statesman
To a query, Kalam said a good leader is a statesman who thinks beyond 20 years, not afraid of any bottlenecks and also work for the integrity and succeed with integrity.
For budding doctors too, he had a message that ‘you should have brain to remove pain’.
Most of the primary health centres in the rural areas lack doctors, said Kalam succinctly.
Vision 2020
On his experience as a President of the nation and scientist, Kalam said the former helped him market ‘Vision 2020’ developed by the latter.
“I was still teaching at an institute when the highest civilian post of the nation was offered.
“I had already prepared the vision and though by accepting the role, I can take the dreams to political system too”, said Kalam.
Scientific development for country’s good
Reacting to a question, Kalam defended that space missions are for the benefit of whole of society- from communication to environment. There may be a day when one may claim space belongs to us, said Kalam in a lighter vein. To a question on the necessity of nuclear power, Kalam shotback saying- the smoke emitted from the burning of fuel in vehicles is generating carbon dioxide in huge.
Instead, one should give impetus to promote sustainable energy like- solar, wind, bio and hydro power. With regard to nano technology, Kalam listed the advancements in the particular area with nano robot a combination of BT, IT and nano and another based on DNA. It can detect cancerous cells and neutralise them.
A girl who had emailed Kalam for not getting an opportunity to be among the questionnaires submitted to the latter in advance, was also given a chance to speak her mind out. The girl wanted to know from Kalam that ‘Are missiles necessary’.
Kalam who had a broad smile on his face said- you are near to a place called Srirangapatna where the first rocket of war emerged. When the enemy is big, you should think of something bigger to fight him, said Kalam quenching the girl’s query.