So today I got to attend “Renaissance 2007″, a program hosted by the Rotary International District 3190 to

“to inspire the younger generation to contribute for the development of India”

(as quoted from here). The highlight of the event of course was the address by Dr. Abdul Kalam, our ex (sigh) President. The event was attended by around 5,500 students from a 125 schools from and around Bangalore. We arrived at the KSTLA (Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association) at 8:30 am, and I expected rigourous security procedures, but we weren’t even checked once! They didn’t even ask for ID, even though we were specifically asked to carry our ID cards!

Anyway. once we were settled in, Dr.Kalam arrived promptly at 10 am and was greeted with a thunderous round of applause from all around the stadium. He talked about the key role of the youth ( to excel in studies) and recounted his own past experiences as a youngster. Hesaid that the three key people who affect the youth today are the father, mother and primary school teacher. His talked animatedly, and asked the audience to “repeat after him” several times He also talked about the role of knowledge and courage in the youth and the need to start with keeping our own places clean as it would keep our homes clean and therefore our state clean and therefore our nation clean!

Dr.Kalam asked the audience to raise the hands if people wanted to become engineers, and several people did. He then asked about doctors and administrators, and again a large number of students raised their hands. When he asked about political leaders, however, only a few ( yours truly included) raised their hands which led him to stress on the need for more smart and intelligent young people to get into politics!

All in all was a once in a lifetime experience and I’m glad I got to go