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by Sir Syed Ahamed Khan. Some of the progressive maharajas
too set up universities, as in Baroda. There are many examples.
In all these cases, the motivation was to see India come up in
the world, to demonstrate that ‘India can do it’.
Not to be republished
Are we in a position to continue that work, revive that spirit
of enterprise? Shall we ever see cars designed and manufactured
in India dotting the roads in Frankfurt or Seoul? Or Indian sat-
ellite launch vehicles place communication, weather and remote
©KTBS
sensing satellites of other nations in orbit? Or see India build
power stations for the U.S.A. Japan and China? The possibility
will remain remote if we stay with the present trend of low aim.

Today we are witnessing good progress in the software sector
but almost all of the hardware is imported. Can we rise higher
on the value scale there? Can India design an operating system
that will become a household name in the world of computers?
Our exports consist to a large extent of low value raw material
such as iron ore and alumina. Can we not convert these into a
wide range of products that find an international market? We
have hundreds of defence production industries but why does
India not manufacture and market the main battle tank, missiles,
aircrafts, guns and other defence equipment? We have the most
important core competence in the form of our multifaceted man-
power and basic infrastructure. What is it that we don’t have?

Learners, what are your responses to Dr Kalam’s

question: What is it that we don’t have?

Let us read on to know Dr Kalam’s views on this…

Let us think what prevents us from undertaking such chal-
lenges. We have to analyse how we can give a new dimension to
our style of functioning, by cutting across the individual interests
of various ministries and even industries and institutions, to fol-
low an integrated action plan. The motive force has to be love for
the country. We need a vision that is shared by the entire nation.

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