Prez interacts with ?development activists?

PRESIDENT OF India, APJ Abdul Kalam had an interactive session with some chosen 'development activists' from all over the country at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on the Independence Day.

PRESIDENT OF India, APJ Abdul Kalam had an interactive session with some chosen 'development activists' from all over the country at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on the Independence Day.

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Uttora Ratna, Project Director of Viklang Kendra Rural Research Society, Allahabad, was among the invitees who participated in the interactive session.
The term, 'development activists' was appropriately chosen by the President for people working at the grassroot level, in voluntary sector and NGO's, said Uttora Ratna.

Talking to HT Allahabad Live on Tuesday Uttora Ratna said during the interactive session, the President in his simple, direct approach, covered a variety of subjects and emphasised on the need of economic development through skill transfer, education, especially of women and nurturing the natural resources of the country. He asked the development activists to put forth their suggestions, all of which were carefully heard and discussed by the President. He urged the invitees to write to him their views on two basic issues: A. What had they done best for the nation and B. What would they like to do, for which the nation would remember them, she said.

"The session concluded with the President asking the participants to repeat a solemn pledge after him, regarding 'righteousness of the heart, leading a happiness in the family, harmony in the country and peace in the world," she added.

Uttora Ratna said the interactive session was followed by a grand 'reception' on the lawns of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The reception was attended by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, parliamentarians and top officers of the government.