SHILLONG: ‘Creating a livable Planet Earth’ was the last lecture delivered by India’s Missile man Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at IIM-Shillong who breathed his last in the city.
On the eve of his second death anniversary, the IIM remembered his contribution and highlighted the initiatives of the institute in the name of the visionary who highlighted the relationship between science and management to develop society.
IIM-Shillong will observe the second death anniversary of Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who was also called the People’s President, on Thursday.
IIM-Shillong Director Amitabha De told The Shillong Times on Wednesday that Kalam had “a very strong scientific foundation”.
Speaking on his lectures, De said, “It was not a common lecture. He would see how science and technology could be harnessed to take the society forward.”
Basav Roychoudhury, Chairperson of PGPM at the business school, said, “Dr Kalam used to come here and take courses by bringing in a social angle. According to him, science and management can develop society.”
The legacy of Kalam is being carried forward through a lecture series. “There is a discourse on science, management and society. Kalam believed that technology has benefits for the society and would also talk on ideas and leadership,” Roychoudhury said.
Lecture series
The Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Lecture Series is homage to the great thinker by having somebody to deliver the lecture who had worked with and inspired by Kalam.
In the first series last year, the lecture was delivered at the commemoration event by Dr Manas K. Mandal, a distinguished Scientist and Director General – Life Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
This year, the lecture will be delivered by Padma Vibhushan G Madhavan Nair, former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman.
De informed that Nair was the man behind successful India’s first lunar mission, Chandrayaan I.
IIM-Shillong believes that people who deliver the lecture series are those who have devoted themselves to the area that they are working.
Nurturing Minds
Roychoudhury pointed out to the initiatives started by IIM Shillong in memory of Kalam titled, Nurturing Minds, under which children from different schools of Shillong and Upper Shillong are taught mathematics and science by the students of the institute.“The general feedback is good. We have spoken to the heads of the Schools and they told us that there is a visible change in the students and they are more open to asking questions,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to the schools for sending their students to the campus every Saturday.
“The (IIM) students spend the whole day with them. It is fun learning. It is basically to tackle the science and mathematics issue since the students are weak,” he added.
Centre for Policy Research & Analysis
Referring to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis, De said, “Work has not yet started and it will start as soon as the funds come.”
“This centre will involve people who are passionate about their work and who understand and can give advice. It will focus on six sectors which comprise tourism, handloom, handicrafts, BPOs, horticulture and logistics,” he added. He informed that the centre will focus on various aspects of the northeastern region.
When asked on the installation of Kalam’s statue, De said the statue will be installed at the permanent campus at Mawdiangdiang. The auditorium, which is around 2,000 sq ft, will be named after Kalam.
