Today knowledge is power: Kalam 
By Shabarni Basu, Kolkata, Jan 17 (IBNS)
Former President and renowned scientist-engineer-educationist APJ Abdul Kalam Thursday said that knowledge is the power of the current era, as he addressed the subject 'Management, Learning and Life' here.
Kalam said, "What worked yesterday, won't work today. Yesterday natural resources defined power of the nation. Today Knowledge is the power."
"The education school will be a knowledge powerhouse, that will disseminate knowledge."
The Bharatratna recipient or the 'Missile Man' at a seminar organised by the Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS) and Times of India, ignited young minds with his indomitable progressive spirits and encouraged aspiring management students to pursue a greater aim, acquire knowledge continuously, work hard, as well as urged to perceive.
Speaking on the differences in working style, he said,"Yesterday hierarchy worked...today synergy or working together is the mandate."
"Yesterday employees took orders...today teams make decisions. Yesterday seniority signified status...today creativity drives status. Education institutions are breeding creativity," he opined.
He urged professionals to add value to technology to effect the growth of the economy and advised everyone to work with integrity to taste success.
"Problem should not become your master or captain. You have to be the captain and defeat the problem and succeed," he advised.
Kalam exemplified his views and opinions citing real life situations, as how developed countries like Japan dealt with several serious problems.
The leader himself analysed and explained the requirements to become a leader, here at the seminar.
"Leadership is an essence of a good governance. Create leadership at all sections of governance."
"Leader must have a vision. Leader must have a passion to realize the vision. Leader must explore a new path," he said.
"Leader must have a courage to take decisions. Leader must have nobility in management," he added.
Kalam also shared his own vision, "India 2020" to provide more food availability and empowerment.
He suggested cooperative movement for the farming society.
According to Kalam, one has to research on how to solve a problem or to know about a particular project.
"Instead of going to Harvard University, you have to go to our Harvard," he noted.
Speaking about success and failure, he said failures are absorbed by the leaders but the same leader credits the success to his team.
Sharing his experience as a man with authorities for almost 50 years, he claimed that no person ever asked for any favours from him.
"You have to build a circle of integrity...a brand of integrity, then no one can penetrate through the circle," said he.
The people's President, who launched the mission for the youth of the nation in 2011, called "What Can I Give Movement", concluded his address by making the youths repeat the values one should imbibe in making his vision come true. --IBNS