Questions Asked by Students and Answered by the President During His Visit to Rajkot at the Meet Organised by Mahatma Gandhi Educational Trust

ADDRESS

1. Why can't we have a Space Institution like NASA?

Chauhan Kartik V., Std XII(B)

Matru Mandir English Medium School

Ans: We have the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which is equivalent to NASA.

2. On one hand we are talking about bringing 100% literacy in the country. On the other hand, day by day the education is becoming more and more expensive. How can a rational balance be brought about between the two. Is it possible? If so, how?

Yagika, Std. XII(A)

Shree Kasturba High School

Ans: There is a need to improve the quality of education in the State run schools where the cost of education is fairly low. For improving the quality of education, we have to use the modern technology backed by few good teachers and the dissemination has to take place with the use of tele-education. This is a good investment which should be met from the government budget. Also, students of higher classes, should teach the lower class students, without any charges.

3. You have been visiting many States of India, meeting different people around. What have you achieved by such visits and meetings?

Sapana Singh, Std. X

Shree Lal Bahadur Shastri English

Medium Higher Secondary School

Ans: Through my visits to States, I have gained first hand knowledge about the aspirations of the people. I am able to interact with the common man and know his problems and challenges. I am also able to know about the core competence of each State and how it can be used to the advantage of the common man. I hope, to certain extent my interaction with the people brings unity of minds towards making India a developed country by 2020. I am acting as a binding bridge between the people and the administrators of the country to fulfill the aspirations of the people.

4. Which is the best way to bring about an affirmative scientific revolution in India?

Mankodi Pratiti, Std. XII(E)

Shree Lal Bahadur Shastri Boys Vidyalaya

Ans: The benefits of the science and technology must reach the common man, especially in rural India. This is what is being planned through PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas). Efforts must be made to promote science education in regional languages.

5. How students can contribute to lead the country to a developed country?

Vidhi Shah,

Sister Nivedita School

Ans: Students can contribute to the development of the country by studying well. Besides that, they can teach two persons how to read and write and also plant five saplings and grow them into trees.

6. How can we effectively and practically work for your and our mission of making India a developed and prosperous nation?

Matalia Ravi R., Std. XII(B)

Saint Mary's School

Ans. Students should fix a goal in their life, concentrate to combat and overcome the hurdles and achieve excellence. They must imbibe moral values. They should aspire to become entrepreneurs. During holidays students can teach poor and underprivileged children and create a mission for them. They can plant trees and contribute towards improving ecological balance. These activities will collectively lead towards development and prosperity.

7. How can satellite communication and ammunition help India to become a military superpower?

Anand K. Zaveri, Std. XI(A)

Saint Mary's School

Ans. To become a superpower, we need state-of-the-art technology, weapons, platforms and sensors, supported by a sound command and control system. Satellite communication can play a crucial role as an advanced sensing area.

8. In today's world where only marks are considered as the mirror of our development and character, where does the person with principles stand?

Viswanathan Sangita S., Std. XI(A)

Saint Mary's School

Ans. Marks are a mere indicator of the knowledge gained in a particular subject and it is not a measure of character. Good marks must be complemented by good moral values and behaviour for your development as a responsible citizen.

9. In one of your speeches, you have told that your main enemy is poverty. So, how can we utilize science and technology to kill this enemy?

Devangi S. Shukla, Std. XII(A)

Saraswati Madhyamik Vidhyalaya

Ans. Science and technology has already been applied in agriculture, dairy, sericulture, horticulture and other rural based industries. We have to enhance this application to provide full employment to our rural population. This will be the way we can achieve the goal of removal of poverty.

10. Which are the branches of science that can be useful for students?

Korina Hiren C., Std. VIII(E)

G.K. Dholakiya School (Uni.Road)

Ans. All branches of science are useful to the students. Choice depends upon the aptitude of the student for a particular subject.

11. May I know whether the Astrology and Physics can be reconciled which may make a new branch of science?

Hirva N. Pandya

Shree Kanta Stri Vikas Gruh

Ans. These two are different subjects.

12. I have a dream to become like you. Will you please advice me?

Mendora Ruta

Shree Kanta Stri Vikas Gruh

Ans: Now that you have an aim, work hard for it with perseverance. You can succeed. My greetings to you.

13. I want to become President? How can I become?

Siddharth Shah, Std. IV

Shri Chanakya Vidyamandir

Ans. You have a very good dream. You put your 100% efforts in whatever activities you undertake and try to excel in each one of them. Do not get discouraged by intermediate failures and work constantly for the success. The Almighty will be with you.

14. What is your guideline to make maximum use of Swadeshi goods?

Joshi Nikita

Kadvibai Virani Kanya Vidhyalaya

Ans. Indian companies should produce internationally competitive products in India to fulfill our people's demands.

15. "Military training should be made compulsory in all the schools." What is your opinion about it?

Pokar Nikunj D., Std.IX

Shree Sarvodaya Vidyalaya (Sankul)

Ans. Discipline and moral values can be taught by good teachers.

16. How far the favour of fortune is necessary for hard work?

Joshi Bhoomi, Std. XI(B) Kotak Kanya Vinay Mandir

Ans. Hardwork comes first. Fortune will favour you if you are persistent in hardwork. There is a famous saying, 'God help those who help themselves.'

17. You are great both as a Scientist and President. Which designation do you experience the best?

Joshi Hetal, Std. IX(C)

Shri P.V. Modi High School

Ans. No matter what is the designation, we should be able to perform our best in the given assignment.

18. What are your plans for underprivileged children, especially girls in India?

Meenakshi, Std.IX

Delhi Public High School

Ans. The vision of Developed India can be realised when people from all walks of life work together to provide good education to underprivileged children, especially girls. Education leads to knowledge and knowledge leads to development.

19. "Common man is always under threat of violence." How will you ensure peace in the country?

Parth, Std. X

Delhi Public High School

Ans. Harmony comes from tolerance. We should cultivate a sense of unity amidst diversity of region, religion and language. These divisive forces should be converged as cohesive forces for bringing about peace in the society.

20. How can we establish communal harmony in our nation?

Makwana Ashish

Smt. S.K. Pathak Vidhyamandir

Ans. Harmony comes from tolerance. We should cultivate a sense of unity amidst diversity of region, religion and language. These divisive forces should be converged as cohesive forces for bringing about peace in the society.

21. Today, Brain Drain from our country has been hampering our country's progress. What should be the government's role to prevent this?

Krishana,

M.V. Dulesia & JHC Trust Schools

Ans. Our country is producing large number of professionals in engineering, medicine and other streams. If some of them go abroad we should not get perturbed. Such people have linkage with their families and academic institutions. Choice lies with the individual. Spirit to serve the nation should come from within.

22. In our country there are many holidays and strikes on minor issues. These affect our country's education and economy adversely. What steps should be taken to avoid such situations?

Shamin

M.V. Dulesia & JHC Trust Schools

Ans. Industrial enterprises should promote the habit of expressing dissent in a positive way. Also managements must take the workforce into confidence, establish two-way communication and understand each other's problem. Such communications will lead to harmonious working environment and prevent disruption of productive work. Parents and educational institutions should cultivate this habit in the child right from his or her childhood.