Address at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of City Height School, Berhampur, Orissa

Aim of Life

"Small aim is a crime"

I am delighted to participate in the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of City High School, Berhampur. I am very happy that the City High School starting with a strength of 20 students and four teachers, in two classes in the year 1930, has now grown up to a strength of over 1200 students with 30 sections, and 50 teachers. I greet all the pioneers who have contributed in establishing and growing this City High School to its present state. During the last seventy five years, this school has produced many distinguished personalities who are contributing in different disciplines in India and abroad. Orissa is very close to me since the range complex in Orissa was my theatre of action for many years when I was associated with the missile programme.

My friend Dr. Kota Harinarayana is the alumni of City High School. I asked Dr. Kota, "can you recall some of your teachers,". He instantly recalled with fond memories two of his teachers, Mr. Narayana, who was the Head Master in 1959 and Mr. Kannababu. Both were mathematics teachers. This shows the bond between the student and the teacher. Now friends, I would like to talk to you something about my science teacher who taught me science, when I was 10 years old studying Rameshwaram Panchayat Board School.

Bird story and my profession

I had a teacher, Shri Siva Subramania Iyer. He was one of the very good teachers in our school. All of us loved to attend his class and hear him. One day he was teaching about bird's flight. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard depicting the wings, tail and the body structure with the head. He explained how the birds create the lift and fly. He also explained to us how they change direction while flying. Nearly 25 minutes he gave the lecture with various information such as lift, drag, how the birds fly in a formation of 10, 20 or 30 etc. At the end of the class, he wanted to know whether we understood how the birds fly. I said, I did not understand how the birds fly. When I said this, he asked the other students whether they understood or not. Many students said that they did not understand. Our teacher was a real teacher and very good teacher. He did not get upset by our response.

In view of this, my teacher said that he would take all of us to the sea shore. That evening the whole class was in the sea shore. We enjoyed the roaring sea waves knocking at the rocks in the pleasant evening. Birds were flying with sweet chirping voice. He showed the sea birds in formation in 10 to 20 numbers, we have seen the marvelous formation of birds with a purpose and we were all amazed. And we were simply looking at the formation. He showed the birds and asked us to see when the birds fly, what it looked like. We saw the wings being flapped. He asked us to look at the tail portion with the combination of flapping wing and twisting tail. We noticed closely and found that the birds in that condition flew in the direction they wanted. Then he asked us a question, where the engine is and how it is powered. Bird is powered by its own life and the motivation what it wants. All these things were explained to us within 15 minutes. We all understood the whole bird dynamics with practical example. How nice it was? Our teacher was a great teacher; he could give as a theoretical lesson coupled with live practical example. This is real teaching. I am sure, many of the teachers in schools and colleges will follow this example.

Mission of Life

For me, it was not merely an understanding of how a bird flies. The bird's flight entered into me and created a feeling on the seashore of Rameswaram. The way, my teacher taught me, led to the mission in my life. From that day evening, I thought that my future study has to be with reference to flight and flight sciences. I am telling this because my teacher's teaching and the event that I witnessed decided my future career. Then one evening after the classes, I asked the teacher, "Sir, please tell me, how to progress further in learning flight sciences." He patiently explained to me that I should complete 8th class, and then go to high school, and then I should go to college that may lead to education of flight. If I do all these things I might do something connected with flight sciences. This advice and the bird flying exercise given by my teacher really gave me a goal and a mission for my life. When I went to college, I took Physics. When I went to engineering in Madras Institute of Technology, I took Aeronautical Engineering.

Thus my life was transformed as a rocket engineer, aerospace engineer and technologist. That one incident of my teacher teaching the lesson, showing the visual live example proved to be a turning point in my life which eventually shaped my profession. When I was a 10 year boy, dear young friends, you can see, how my teacher gave me a mission for my life.

The Chief Designer of Supersonic Aircraft

I happened to work with Dr. Kota Harinarayana, who was the Programme Director of India?s first super sonic fighter aircraft, LCA. This is a cost effective, high performance, light, small, yet a world class fighter. Dr. Kota Harinarayana, who is the alumni of the City High School, Berhampur was responsible for the design, development and leading to production of this aircraft. It was one of the most difficult missions. During the fifteen year period of the programme, 1986-2001 as Chief Designer of LCA Dr. Kota had to encounter technological, managerial and psychological challenges and technological sanctions imposed against the programme. Dr. Kota met all the challenges bravely without allowing them to overwhelm and defeat him. Along with his team, he faced them resolutely and led the aircraft to flight. This is an important trait needed for all particularly the youth. I am sure many of you will follow this example and be a pioneer in the field of your specialization and bring glory to the nation through your efforts. Dr. Kota has made the country proud and has been honored with Padma award. Dear young friends, you have a role models like in Dr. Kota Harinarayana, and his teachers, Shri Narayana and Shri Kannababu. What can be the message to the youth of this famous school from your alumni Dr. Kota Harinarayana:

a) Dream, Dream and Dream

Dream transforms into thoughts

Thoughts result into action

b) Let not the problem preside over you. You become the master of the problem

Defeat the problem and succeed.

Dear Friends, I am sure, you would like to know, what type of India you will enter into after your education. Let me give you the national mission and the challenges.

Our National Mission-? Challenges

Our nation is going through a major challenge of uplifting of 260 million people who are below the poverty line. They need habitat, they need food, they need health care, and they need education and employment finally resulting in a good life. Our GDP is growing at nearly 8% per annum. Whereas, the economists suggest that to uplift the people from below the poverty line, our economy has to grow at the rate of an additional minimum of 2% per annum consistently, for over a decade.

Integrated Action for Development

Our mission of transforming India into a Developed Nation, is to meet the needs of one billion people. We have identified five areas where India has core competencies for integrated action: (1) Agriculture and food processing (2) Education and Healthcare (3) Infrastructure for all parts of the country such as reliable and quality electric power and surface and air transport (4) Information and Communication Technology (5) Self-reliance in Strategic sectors. These five areas are closely inter-related and when effectively addressed, would lead to food, economic, energy and national security and lead to sustainable prosperity.

Engines for Growth

Emphasis should be on full utilization of natural and human resources of the region to meet the demands of modern society. We should also remember that about 50% of our population consists of young people, with aspirations for a better life. Value addition to Agriculture, Manufacturing and Service sectors of the economy, building on the regions? core competencies and technologies, will lead to higher incomes and employment opportunities and therefore higher growth rates. The engines for growth will be launching of the five national missions viz. water, energy, education and skills, infrastructure and employment generation. Developed states result in developed India.

What can be the role of youth for India Vision 2020

Let me now administer a 10 point oath for the students.

TEN POINT OATH (for Students)

1. I will pursue my education or the work with dedication and I will excel in it.

2. From now onwards, I will teach at least 10 persons to read and write those who cannot read and write.

3. I will plant at least 10 saplings and shall ensure their growth through constant care.

4. I will visit rural and urban areas and permanently wean away at least 5 persons from addiction and gambling.

5. I will constantly endeavor to remove the pain of my suffering brethren.

6. I will not support any religious, caste or language differentiation.

7. I will be honest and endeavour to make a corruption free society.

8. I will work for becoming an enlightened citizen and make my family righteous.

9. I will always be a friend of the mentally and physically challenged and will work hard to make them feel normal, like the rest of us.

10. I will proudly celebrate the success of my country and my people.

Where are we in the galaxy?

Where are we now? We have assembled here for participating in the 75th year celebration of City High School, Berhampur which is a small dot on the earth. Earth is a representative of the solar system. Earth constantly rotates around the Sun.

Earth while orbiting around the Sun keeps on rotating around its own axis. While doing so, how much time the earth takes to complete one rotation. One of you please answer. Earth takes twenty four hours for completing one rotation on its own axis. This is how night and day are created. Apart from this what does earth do? Earth also orbits around the sun. How much time does it take for this orbital motion? 365 days. i.e. one year.

Your City High School has orbited around the sun seventy five times. This is the importance of seventy five years. Let me pray the almighty to provide continuous growth and prosperity in education to City High School for many thousands of years.

Three Inspiring Events

Now I would like to share with you my experience of visiting the Indian Army?s post located in the highest altitude in the nation, my journey in the submarine and my flight in the Sukhoi fighter.

Experience at KUMAR, 16000 ft in Siachen Glacier - 2APR2004

I would like to describe my experience on KUMAR in Siachen Glacier on 2 April 2004, when I visited the highest post held by the Indian Army. The post is located at 17,000 feet altitude. At that time, it was snowing and the temperature was minus 35 degree centigrade. When I reached the field station, three soldiers - Naik from Karnataka, Williams from West Bengal and Salim from Uttar Pradesh - shook hands with me. As soon as they shook their hands with me, it became Agni that transformed into warmth and penetrated me. This warmth gave me the confidence that our nation is safe in the hands of the soldiers defending in the difficult environment and terrain at the highest altitude with will power. They are giving the best part of their youth for the defence of the nation.

My rendezvous with Silent Force

On 13th February 2006, it was remarkable to have a journey underwater in INS Sindhurakshak. We cruised for about 30 minutes at sea level and went through a narrow tube with vertical ladder and climbed down to 10-12 meters to enter the high pressure zone compartment. Then the submarine started diving to a depth of about 30 meters from the surface and started cruising. Through a narrow hole of one meter diameter I entered the first compartment of the submarine which is the Instrumented Control Center. The crew explained the functioning of the submarine showing the maneuvering operations and buoyancy control methodologies with great enthusiasm. It was a thrilling experience for me as was the case for the young sailors and officers who were present with me in the submarine. During the review, the underwater communication system, target identification and launch simulation were shown. This was followed by the firing of torpedo/missile water-shod to simulate an attack, demonstrating the combat capability of our underwater silent force. The target location, signature analysis from the sonar data, torpedo launch and its homing were presented. I realized the complexities involved in under water warfare.

I moved on to the weapon storage compartment where the torpedoes are stored and this compartment connects to the front of the submarine where water is filled before launching the torpedoes. Next I moved on through various compartments to the rear part of the submarine to see the diesel engine based propulsion system and the electric drives. I met 90 officers and sailors in the vessel working like busy bees. Their job is not easy but they feel proud in their difficult life. We went to a small working room where seven people could be accommodated. We had a very delicious vegetarian lunch. I was given a presentation on the future of Submarine building plans for the next 30 years.

Now the submarine after completing its underwater journey for three hours was ready to come to the surface. The procedure started and the vessel came to the surface and moved in the direction of the shore. Then I climbed up the ladder through the narrow vertical hole and reached the conning tower. I saw the land and the ocean back. What a memorable journey underwater. Our Navy indeed is multi-dimensional - under water, on the water, above water and space. Definitely, the silent force submarine fleet is indeed a powerful force to defend the sea, particularly the economic zone.

Experience in Sukhoi-30 MKI

On 8th June 2006, I flew in a Sukhoi-30 fighter plane to make a sortie on the combat aircraft. Previous night Wing Commander Ajay Rathore gave me lessons on how to fly. He was my friend and teacher who taught me successfully how to pilot the plane as well as handle warfare control of the fighter. It was a dream for me since 1958 when I became an engineer, to fly in a fighter aircraft. After our strapping on, Sukhoi-30 took off and sore to a height of 25,000 feet flying at a speed of over 1200 kms per hour. Wing Commander Rathore allowed me to turn the Sukhoi to the left and then to the right. I experienced 2.5g, of course with a g-suite. I could experience the banking of the Sukhoi to the left and right going up and down before landing. During the sortie I tried to understand various subsystem of the aircraft developed by Indian scientists which have been integrated with this aircraft. I was very happy to see the indigenously built mission computers, radar warning receivers, IFF and display processors in the aircraft. During the sortie, I was shown how to locate the target in the air and on the ground with the help of synthetic aperture radar. The flight lasted for over 36 minutes. I felt the fulfillment of a great aim and long cherished dream of my life. Above all, I realized how our air warriors are engaged in the defence of our national airspace and land.

Conclusion

I saw Army?s might in high altitude warfare at Siachien. I experienced the power of under water silent force, the submarine fleet. I saw the might of our Air Force while flying state of the art super sonic fighter at Mach number 2. These gave me a real life experience of how our Armed Forces defend the land, sea and air. Friends, I am telling all these three incidents to inspire young minds so that they are ready for taking up responsible positions not only in national development but also in national defence.

Now I would like to administer the Oath for courage. Are you ready?

Courage

Courage to defend the nation,

Courage to innovate,

Courage to invent and

Courage to overcome the sufferings and to succeed,

are indeed the traits

that led to the growth of human civilization.

I, as a citizen of India,

will work with courage and knowledge

to transform my nation into a prosperous,

happy and safe India.

Let me once again greet all the members of the City High School on the occasion of their Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. My best wishes to all of you for success in your mission of promoting excellence in value based education.

May God bless you.

Questions and Answers Session with Children

1. India has contributed significantly towards information technology. Bio and nano technology are slowly emerging. What is your vision in the co-ordination of all the three technologies for the benefit of mankind.

- K. Keepak Kumar, 10th class

Ans:    Convergence of bio-nano-info technologies can lead to the development of nano robots. Nano robots when they are injected into a patient with a particular disease, my expert friends say, will diagnose and deliver the treatment exclusively in the affected area and then the nano-robot gets digested as it is a DNA based product. This I have witnessed during my visit to Korea. Convergence of technologies has many applications in electronics, materials, water purification, energy and healthcare systems.

2. How missiles are to be used for benefit of people at large?

- Roshan Raulo, 10th class

Ans: Peace is essential for national development. Peace does not come freely. India?s history of 1000?s of years clearly indicates that you are ruled and ruled. To defend the freedom, particularly the economic freedom, a strong nation is vital. Strength comes from economic prosperity and national security. For national security, missile force is very important. Of course there are many spin-off of missile technology leading to a light weight calipers (FROs) for polio affected children. Carbon-carbon, the light weight material used for missile construction can also be used for making light weight Floor Reaction Orthosis (FROs) calipers. This has reduced the weight of a 3 kg device into 300 grams resulting in a very light devise for use by polio affected children.

3. In spite of abundant natural mineral and human resources our state Orissa still remains backward. What is the scientific and technical solution to this. Because it relates to poverty problem.

- Saroj Kumar Sahu, 10th class

Ans:    The state has to have a 10 year vision to increase the per capita income of the State three times of what it is today. Also, to reduce the number of people below poverty line from the present 44% to 10%. For this, priority has to be given for education, employment generation and healthcare. Above all, our education system should inject into the minds of our youth the confidence and aptitude to establish enterprises instead of seeking governmental jobs. Above all education should give the capability to think that "I can do it."

4. In your last visit to Orissa, you have advised that computer should not supercede human brain. If so, should we put some limitation to the computing power.

- Satyaranjan Mohanana, 10th class

Ans: Human creativity always presides over human innovations.

5. Eradication of poverty is reality or dream in Indian situation?

- Bimal Krushna Padhy, 9th class

Ans: In 1950, the population below poverty line in India was above 50%, today it is 22%. By 2020, definitely we can reach near 0%.

6. Can the protection of environment and development go hand-in-hand?

- Akhyaya Kumar Jena, 9th class

Ans: Development need not be anti environment, both can go hand in hand. For example, in agriculture, organic farming and bio-fertilizers has come in a big way. Municipal waste can be transformed into power generation. The mountains of fly ash are generated by thermal plants, now technology has come in to use the fly ash as green building material, road construction material and fertilizers. Like that there are many methods for converting development process to become user friendly.

I recently read a book, "The Weather Makers" by Tim Flannery. Who are the Weather makers? 6 billion people of planet Earth are the weather makers. Weather can be made human friendly, if our homes are clean, if the homes are clean, villages and towns will be clean, if villages and towns are clean, the states will be clean, if the states are clean, the nation will be clean. Hence, every one of us has to work for maintaining the cleanliness of the environment.