Turn students autonomous learners

COIMBATORE: Stressing the importance of teachers to make the student an autonomous learner and build a fine nation, former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said, “The method of teaching is important for making the student a life-long autonomous learner, which is essential for continuous contribution for the growth of an individual, and thereby the nation.”Addressing students at the PSG College of Arts and Science here on Monday, Kalam spoke extensively about his teacher Prof Chinnadurai, who taught him nuclear physics at St Joseph’s College. “He is a living legend. The way he taught, many students started loving nuclear physics. Rev Father Chinnadurai, when he was handling classes used to suggest good reference articles and books, which guided students in the right direction. And the physics teacher ensured that we all referred physics textbooks during the lecture instead of reading the notes alone. This widened the horizon of the learning of the students on a particular topic,” he said. In an inspirational speech on the topic - ‘I can do it, we can do it and Nation will do it’, Kalam urged the students to search for the uniqueness in themselves. “I have met 13 million youth in India and abroad, in a decade’s time and have learnt that every youth wants to be unique. However, the world around you, is doing its best, day and night, to make you just everybody else. The challenge is that you have to fight the hardest battle, which any human being can ever imagine to fight; and never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place, that is, a unique you,” he said. Quoting the oft-repeated inspirational poem ‘Wing to Fly’ by the acclaimed Persian Sufi poet of 13th century — Jalaluddin Rumi, Kalam added that the uniqueness in each comes from having an aim in life before 20 years of age, acquiring knowledge continuously, hard work towards the aim and perseverance to defeat the problem and succeed. “Above all, you need a will power and confidence, that you can achieve great deeds. Education gives you wings to fly. Achievement comes out of fire in our sub-conscious mind that we have to win. So, each one of us has ‘Wings of Fire’ that lead to knowledge which will make you to fly in the chose vocation in life,” he said. Stating his vision for the country in the year 2020, Kalam said he sought a nation without a rural and urban divide where there was an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water. “A nation where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony and education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination. A nation which is the best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists, and investors and where the best of health care is available to all. A nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free and where poverty has been totally eradicated, illiteracy removed and crimes against women and children are absent and none in the society feels alienated. A nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of terrorism, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path and one of the best places to live in and is    proud of its leadership is the nation I seek in 2020,” he said. “With the 600 million youth of the nation, actively participating in the development process, I am sure that India will be transformed into a developed nation before the year 2020,” he signed off.