On an invitation from the Lakshmi Vidya Sangham (LVS), former President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam visited Lakshmi School last Saturday, addressed an audience of 1,500 dominated by school students and conquered every heart with his words and messages.
Dr.Kalam is known for his motivational speeches and his nation building mission with youths. Those who follow him will find the broad content of his talks especially to school and college students repetitive. But each time at different venues, the audience is different too and yet most impacted by his words of wisdom.
This weekend too Dr.Kalam’s speech had the desired effect. Every media reported his speech in detail. Students selected by their teachers to hear his inspirational speech considered themselves lucky. Metro Plus spoke to some of them who were no less in awe after meeting a very down-to-earth Dr.Kalam and more revved up after the interaction.
S.Krishnaveni of class XI at Thiru.Vi. Ka. Corporation School, is yet to get over the rare opportunity that came her way. The class X Board exam topper of her school was the obvious choice of her teachers to be given a seat next to Dr.Kalam. “I cannot describe how I felt sitting next to such a great personality,” she gushes. “It was a golden day in my life,” says Krishnaveni, who is now determined to study even harder. “I should be able to meet him again as the class XII topper of not only my school but all corporation schools,” she says, adding, “I want to become somebody big like him.”
Class XI student, S. Anitha of Ponmudiyar Corporation School says with pride, “I was not just one among hundreds of students sitting in the auditorium, but I was sitting with him on the stage. He is a role model like Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda about whom I have only read. But after seeing and hearing Dr.Kalam, I will never forget what he told us today.”
Along with student representatives like Krishnaveni and Anitha, it was a great recognition for the city’s corporation schools that had specially sent its contingent of students and teachers to the big event. It was a nice gesture on part of LVS management to give them the opportunity while restricting the number of students from their own TVS-run schools to the function.
Anitha says she told Dr.Kalam she would study harder to become the class XII topper but even then her happiness would not match this day’s when she met him. Like her, the other set of bright and young students from the TVS schools returned impressed with the ex-President’s charisma and the ability to connect with the youth.
L.An.Lindhiya, class XI Prefect from Lakshmi School says her most important takeaway is that the standard of decorum is decided by one’s humility irrespective of the profession one chooses. She was astonished when Dr.Kalam refused an umbrella to be held over his head while he was planting a sapling outside in the sun and later on the dais when he pushed aside a bigger chair meant for him and chose to sit in one kept for the students.He did not preach by saying dream big, points out Lindhiya, rather he said it was a crime to dream small. The magical weaving of words and his well-punched messages to achieve success with integrity struck an instant chord with the students. S.Balameenakshi, the class XI school pupil leader from TVS Sundaram Iyengar School instantaneously decided to pursue his dream job of a press reporter. “I was nervous waiting for him at our school’s display board but when Dr.Kalam came and asked me about my ambition, I told him though I am a student of commerce and accounts, I was inspired by his and vision and would like to become a journalist.”
Likewise, Class XI Head Boy of TVS Matriculation Higher Secondary School M.Balamuruga is studying computer science and wants to become a music director. “After listening to Dr.Kalam, I gained confidence that if I am clear about my goal and remain focussed, nothing is impossible,” he says. Balamuruga was touched by Dr.Kalam’s quality to appreciate, “He checked with me the names of students who gave the welcome and introduction speech and complimented them in his opening remarks.”
C.G.Diwakar, class XII Head Boy from the same school had practised the three-minute introduction speech for hours in the past week. “It had to be flawless,” he says and admits he was nervous. But after seeing how friendly and easy going Dr.Kalam was, he felt easy. “I had never imagined somebody of his stature to be so simple.”
Prasanna Venkatesh also from same class and school was at the display board ready to answer questions from the missile man. “It was an invaluable opportunity for me,” he says and feels he performed his role well as Dr.Kalam enquired about the staff and student strength, the motto of the school and about a book written by one of the students. Prasanna dreams of becoming a research scientist and couldn’t agree less when Dr.Kalam mentioned acquisition of knowledge, continuous reading, hard work and perseverance as the road to success.
R.Madhumitha of class XI who was shortlisted from five best speakers in her school to give the welcome address is studying to become a doctor. “But singing is my passion,” she says, and today Dr.Kalam has inspired me to achieve everything that I want by working doubly hard. “I thought he will be strict but he was so different. He spoke in English and Tamil using simple words and kept the audience engaged and enthused. I found him to be so unique.”
For the Captain of Lakshmi School, S.Theyjusvani, this once in a lifetime opportunity has taught her to create an identity of her own. When parents tell us to study and score marks, it is different. But Dr.Kalam put it so beautifully citing so many examples of great people that the quest for knowing more and doing better is automatically aroused, says Theyjusvani who wants to study law and become a civil servant.
“I want to serve my country and I am more than ever determined to fulfil my ambition,” she says. Much like the oath Dr.Kalam made the students take on the occasion to become enlightened citizens by serving better, saving others and giving more. He left sparking many a dream in the young minds.
