PRESIDENT VISITS
ALMORA AND DEHRA DUN IN UTTARANCHAL
The President of
India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam went to Almora and Dehra Dun in
Uttaranchal on a one-day visit today. During his stop in Almora
the President flagged-off the Mobile Diagnostic Clinic and Research
Centre jointly supported by the Government of Uttaranchal and
the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council
(TIFAC), Government of India. The project will provide high quality
diagnostic care in the districts of Chamoli and Nainital in the
Garhwal region and Almora, Bageshwar and Champawat districts in
the Kumaon region. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Kalam said Uttaranchal
should develop a 10-year mission to turn itself into a developed
state. The President said the state has good natural resources,
bio-diversity including herbal and medicinal plants and also a
strong human resource base. What are needed, he said, are ignited
minds, which in this beautiful state could easily prepare beautiful
minds to do creative work. Dr. Kalam hoped that the mobile clinic
would be used in the far off districts, and said it was a divine
work for reaching out to the poorest people in remote areas. He
congratulated TIFAC and the Government of Uttaranchal for completing
the project.
The President also
laid the foundation stone at Almora of the Uday Shankar Academy
for Dance and Music. Dr. Kalam hoped that the Academy would become
a big center, and the beautiful environment would he was sure,
ignite the minds of those coming to learn dance and music. The
Department of Culture, Government of India and the Government
of Uttaranchal have set up the academy jointly. While in Almora,
the President also interacted with 300 children drawn from 15
schools in the town.
In Dehra Dun Dr.
Kalam inaugurated the Founder’s Day Celebrations of Doon School.
Referring to his recent visit to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh,
the President told the gathering of 1,500 students besides old-students,
teachers and parents, that he was bringing the message of peace,
given to him by the Chief Monk of the Monastery there. Peace and
non-violence was only possible, Dr. Kalam said, when every person
got rid of his ego and would bear no hatred towards others. The
President urged the Board of Directors and Head Master of the
school to enroll 10 students who cannot afford such an education
from the hilly areas of Uttaranchal every year, so that they could
get the benefit of education in this prestigious school. The President
suggested that these students should be given financial help to
study at the school.
Concluding his visit
to Uttaranchal, Dr. Kalam also inaugurated the Centenary celebrations
of the Mahadevi Kannya Pathshala at Dehra Dun. Addressing the
2,000 students of this all girls college, the President urged
them to gain knowledge so that they could contribute towards making
India a developed nation by 2020. Dr. Kalam said women are all
the more important to the nation, as their thoughts and their
way of working and value system leads to the development of a
good family, good society and a good nation.
The President later
returned to New Delhi.
