Kalam seeks urban amenities in rural areas

Press Trust of India, Jan 16, 2010

Bhawanipatna (Orissa), Jan 16 (PTI) Seeking quick steps to provide urban amenities in rural and tribal areas, former President APJ Abdul Kalam today asked officials to launch new projects every year to boost economic development and raise job opportunities.

"It is important to make available amenities of urban centres in rural and tribal pockets of the country," Kalam said after lighting a lamp at cultural festival - 'Kalahandi Utsav - Ghumura' at Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium here.

The distinguished scientist said those running the administration should set targets for launching new projects every year during such occasions like festivals which would boost economic development, improve employment potential and augment education and health services.

Knowledge is creativity: Ex-prez
Expressbuzz, Jan 17, 2010

BHAWANIPATNA: Visit of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to Kalahandi district today created euphoria among the people.

Kalam attended Kalahandi Utsav - Ghumra - in Lalbahadur Stadium here and inaugurated the third day’s function.

In his brief address, he advised administrative machinery and intellectuals to set targets to launch new projects every year during such festivals which will boost economic development, improve employment potential, augment education and health services in Kalahandi region.

He said amenities available in big urban centres should reach rural and tribal pockets.

Kalam interacted with students and told them that knowledge is equal to creativity. ‘’When there is righteousness in heart there is beauty in character. This leads to harmony at home. When there is harmony at home there is order in the nation and it leads to peace in the world,’’ he said.

He also answered some science-related questions fielded by students. Kalam also inaugurated the newly-constructed primary teachers’ Bhawan (Sikshyak Bhawan) and interacted with teachers.

LANJIGARH: Kalam today inaugurated the Mid- Day Meal Centre established by Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) at Lanjigarh. The centre will provide nutritious food to 30,000 children in 273 schools of Lanjigarh block in the first phase. The programme will be run by Naandi Foundation in collaboration with VAL and the Government of Orissa.

He said the mid-day meal programme is a noble initiative of the Government and such activities can be successful to a greater extent with private partnership.

Lauding VAL for its initiative, he said it can set an example to others. VAL intends to cover one lakh children of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts under the programme in phases. The programme aims at enhancing the nutrition value of food for children from Class I to VIII in government- aided schools and increasing their attendance in schools. Chief Operating Officer of VAL, Lanjigarh, Dr.

Mukesh Kumar said it was a step further in reducing malnutrition and school dropouts in Lanjigarh. At another meeting at Bhawanipatna, Kalam said, ”Orissa has enough mineral resources and proper utilisation of the resources can change the economy of the State. The Government should be proactive enough to explore such possibilities.”