DR A P J ABDUL Kalam, former President of India, visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois on Sunday (April 24).
Dr Kalam was the keynote speaker at a youth conference, titled “Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders.”
The mandir authorities gave a grand welcome to the former president. Hundreds of little children in the mandir sang vedic prayers. Dr Kalam then paid respects to the murtis by offering flowers.
The children spoke of their aspirations and how coming to the mandir has helped them create goals that they wanted to accomplish throughout their lives. One of the children mentioned that he wanted to become a doctor. Upon hearing this, Dr Kalam stopped and asked the child why he had this dream. He responded by saying he wanted to help people. Dr Kalam then addressed all the children sitting in the mandir.
“When you look up in the mandir you see these light bulbs,” said Dr Kalam, “Who do you think of when you look at a bulb…. Thomas Alva Edison. He is remembered for creating the light bulb and in the same way we should be known for something. We should all strive to be unique.”
In his keynote speech, Dr Kalam spoke on the power of the youth and the promise they hold as the world’s future. The former president inspired the youth to serve their family, their community, their nation, and humanity as a whole by working hard in their education and career goals while making sure to selflessly give back to society. He engaged the audience, having them take several oaths, which ensured that the youths present take the necessary steps in creating a better future for all.
Dr Kalam mentioned the problems in today’s society, including education, poverty and hunger. He requested that each individual at the conference make it a mission to spread literacy throughout their lives and challenged them to teach five people to read.
“I am convinced that the youth power, if properly directed and led, could bring about the transformational changes in humanity for its progress, meeting its challenge and bring peace and prosperity,” Dr Kalam said.
