Youth need to contribute lot towards the nation: Dr. Kalam

Updated on: Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Justifying India's manufacture of nuclear weapons, former President A P J Abdul Kalam said when the countries around India were making such weapons, the nation "cannot sit and meditate".

He, however, said India was not for first use of such weapons and if anyone attempted to use one against us, the country should be prepared to face it.

"We cannot keep quiet, if anybody attacks with a nuclear missile," Kalam said.

The former President was responding to a question by a student at a youth meet.

Asked by a girl student on the steps that could be taken to prevent increasing sexual attacks on women in the country, he said there was a need to have a value system in education. "There should be good teachers to teach high morals and build
a fine character, so that such incidents gradually decrease."

Addressing over 3,000 students from various colleges in and around Coimbatore and nearby Kerala, Kalam said the over 600 million youth in India have a "lot to contribute" in making the country a superpower by 2020.

Of all resources, youth was the most powerful resource for a nation, he said.

"You should have the confidence. I can do it, we can do it and India will do it," Kalam said.

Youth need to contribute lot towards the nation: Dr. Kalam

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