Kalam addresses the students at the first convocation of IIT-Patna

Updated on: Monday, December 24, 2012

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam said socio-economic problems have hindered Bihar's economic development over the years, and called upon students to become partners in the state's development.

"I am optimistic that the IIT-Patna students can play a vital role to further economic development in Bihar by becoming a partner to the ongoing sustainable development process," Kalam said at the first convocation of IIT-Patna.
 
As Bihar is an agricultural hub, Kalam said that the IITians here can showcase their innovations and technical knowledge to strategise and develop markets for variety of agricultural produces to enable the farmers to maximise their return.
 
Kalam emphasised that IITians here have a major role to play in developing smart waterways to prevent floods and water shortages in the state and putting to good use its abundant water resources for development of irrigation infrastructure by connecting the network of rivers.
 
The networking of rivers through smart waterways will mitigate flooding in major parts of the state and channelise water to the drought-affected regions, he said.

Sustained rural development was the need of the hour Kalam said, adding that IIT-Patna students have a responsibility to devise ways and means to improve the lives of rural people.
 
The state, he said, required innovation and greater use of technology to improve learning techniques for millions of students, in which IIT-Patna students could become research partner and suggest imparting scientific education and vocational training.
 
Kalam urged IIT graduates not to get carried away by material success after getting lucrative jobs but also serve the society by becoming entrepreneurs and employment generators instead of becoming only employees.
 
The former president asked the IIT-Patna graduates to live up to obligations to the alma mater and social responsibility towards Bihar by making this state become a laboratory of sustained development.
 
Kalam also drew students attention towards other state issues like need for quality drinking water, electricity and corruption-free governance. He also contributed a bundle of books to IIT-Patna.

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