Kalam for Indian dress to replace gowns at convocations

The former president who was here to attend the third convocation of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University said that an Indian dress would be better in place of the old heavy gowns used during such functions.

"...a Lucknavi dress, a good dress which is lighter for our children would be better ...hope that Chancellors and Vice Chancellors would take note of it", he said.

Delivering the convocation address, Kalam who is also Chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council spelled out his distinctive profile of India by 2020 in which there would be a thin line dividing rural and urban areas and where there would be equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water and education with value system available to all.

"For this we have the mission to transform India into a developed nations," he said pointing out five core areas of competence and integrated action including agriculture and food procesing, quality power and infratructure, education and healthcare, information and communication technology and self reliance in critical technologies.

"The Major mission is the development of infrastructure for bringing rural prosperity by providing amenities in rural areas through creation of connectivities namely physical, electronic knowledge leading to economic connectivity," he said.