Students need to possess "Can Do" attitude: G K Pillai

Updated on: Saturday, April 23, 2011

Acknowledging "social unrest" in various parts of the nation, G K Pillai, Union Home Secretary underlined the fact that students should have "Can Do" attitude to accomplish any sort of issue.

"Problems are still there. But I am much more optimistic" Pillai, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras said at the "52nd Institute Day" of his alma mater.

Pillai was referring to Tata Steel Chairman B Muthuraman's comments earlier in the evening that "very serious issues" of social unrest were obstructing the country"s growth.

Pillai, whose visit to the city was kept under wraps, also received the 'Distinguished Alumnus Award' from IIT Madras for outstanding contribution in his field.

Accepting the award, Pillai said one should have a "Can Do' attitude" to sort out any issue.

Advising the students present at the gathering, he said, "Can Do" attitude is very important. But doing it in the right way is much more important. You may be in any field. But never reject any idea (from others). I used to take it whenever I need it. And that is very, very important", he said.

Pillai, a 1972 Kerala cadre IAS officer, completed his Post-Graduate degree in Chemistry from IIT Madras in 1970.

Earlier, in his keynote address, Muthuraman urged the students to pay attention to the social unrest in the North-Eastern States and lack of governance over corporates.

Stating there was social unrest in places such as Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal, Muthuraman said the problem was becoming "extremely serious". "Though I am saying this in the presence of Union Home Secretary, not only government needs to address this issue, people also have equal opportunity (in solving it)", he said.

He said everybody in the country was responsible for the problem and it was the people who had to solve it. "This issue is impending the growth of India", he said.

He expressed unhappiness over what he called the "lack of governance" over corporates, citing the 2G-spectrum scam, which has landed former Union Telecom Minister A Raja and many others behind bars.

"The country's economy may grow at a good pace. But without good governance there will not be a level playing field for anybody", he said. "Inspite of India's stupendous growth, it still ranks very low in the industry sector due to lack of good governance".

Noted Carnatic vocalist Sowmya, also an IIT Madras alumni, was among the many who received the Distinguished Alumnus Award on the occasion. The awards were presented by IIT Madras Director M S Ananth.

Students need to possess "Can Do" attitude: G K Pillai

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