A Letter to Every Indian - APJ
Published by uttishthata July 6th, 2007 in APJ Abdul Kalam
The President of India DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam ’s Speech in Hyderabad .
Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a
self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.
In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.
Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don’t work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - ‘YOURS’. Give him a face - ‘YOURS’. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don’t throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity… In Singapore you don’t say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn’t dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai . YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, ’see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.’YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, ‘Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so’s son. Take your two bucks and get lost.’ YOU wouldn’t chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand .
Why don’t YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo? Why don’t YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India?
Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. ‘Rich people’s dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,’ he said. ‘And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels?
In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan.
Will the Indian citizen do that here?’ He’s right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.
This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.
When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? ‘It’s the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons’ rights to a dowry.’ So who’s going to change the system?
What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one’s conscience too…. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy’s words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians…..
‘ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY’
Lets do what India needs from us.
Forward this mail to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.
Thank you,
Dr. Abdul Kalam
Dear Brother,
Thank you for your initiative.
But it is too late!
Keep it up. Best of Luck.
With best regards.
MuraleeDharan Raghavan
http://www.theverdictindia.com
These are words which reflect the utterly shameful truths that we Indians are either unaware of,
or avoid, in order to serve our own interests. Is the country listening to these word of the
First Man of this country? I do not think it is. Till now there is no reply to this letter of
Mr. Kalam. Whereas, in the world of web, such a gigantic number of people are participating
merely in having FUN; the standard of which, that too, is shallow. No one has time to reflect
on necessary issues. O God, help India; please make its people realise what they should be
doing for themselves, for their country, and for the world!
Dear Sir,
This is the very bitter truth our country is facing today. In order to change the country, every citizen has to change and contribute his/her part in making the country developed and progress himself along with the country. I completely respect your speech and it has definitely awakened a good Indian in me.
Thank you very much for such a wonderful speech and sharing it with all the Indians.
Jai Hind..
Ankit Tripathi
wen i started reading this first ilaughed,latter i felt shy,after some time i promised my self tat from today i will not do any thing tat adds to development of negative system,i try to change my self first instead of showing fingers towards others
its good to read.
but all INDIANS have to aware of it.
take help of newspaper times of india and TV ,RADIO to spread it to all.
i will try my best.
Topic - NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY
Very shortly, the country will be choosing its president as the presidency office of today. This election as attained greater significance and attention. Dr Adul Kalam who has been a unique presidency from his presides. Dr Kalam presidentship was not only eventful but also brought several interesting features such has his direct interaction with the people in general and the students of various disciplines. The students who are the futures of the country are very fascinated by his direct address to them by which they draw grate inspiration having dreams on knowledge, Wisdom, Social values.
As such, it is natural who will be the next president to succeed Dr Kalam who has set new trends and standards
whatever president says its totally true. we only blame to our system but
nobody wants to go for a step to improve the system.there is to need to go
for a step to improve the countries.
Great.I hope after reading this article we will atleast have fewer “gems ” of Young India wating for the earliest opportunity to leave for America. Thanks a lot Dr Kalam.
hii….
to every indian…..
this is the time when we have to recognise wat
is the need of our countery and how we can pay our contribution to the nation..
we have to make the india really great..inspite of blaming each other….
jai hind…..
i have nothing much to say, as my respected sir has expressed his deep love ,care and affection for our motherland…………..
i just want to add one comment;
“MEN NEVER FAILS, THEY JUST STOP TRYING”!
so friends lets take a pledge to do as said by Dr.Kalam and make our country reach to the heights of success
oh my god dis is d naked truth man.dis has change my life and i vil make every possible try to spread dis message and aware ppl regarding dis.proud to be an indian
its very good
Strong Policies can change a lot of things.
Since the message started with MEDIA.
Why we cannot pass a resolution to have better news on the front page. (ONLY GOOD NEWS).
After coming to US I can say INDIA is great in many ways.
Ask any INDIAN who settled in US about their Domestic Airlines, most of them are not even comparable with cheapest
Airlines in INDIA.
MY GREAT INDIA.
Dear Fellow-Indians,
What our Honorable President has said is the truth about us Indians.We are willing to respect the land, culture and laws of other countries but would do just the opposite in our own country.its really easy to criticize the government and the officials,however we forget that they are what we have made them into.Its us who want our official jobs to be dont quickly for which we go to a extend of paying bribe and then we complain about bribery and the government not doing anything about it…I believe that we as citizens of India are more liable to the condition of our own country and hence have no right,whatsoever, to raise fingers at others. If only each one of us with true intentions just change the way we USE this country, we’ll be able to make a lot of changes and India would be a better country to live in.
Mr. President, i would like to congratulate you for all the work you have done for our country and all of us. You are a great inspiration to all of us, particularly the children of India. Never before has any President of India performed his duties and responsibilities with such dedication and sincerity. Thank you for showing us a path to walk on.
Jai Hind.
We all owe debt to our motherland, when we were born it is our motherland which provided us food, water and shelter. I think we really need to think seriously “What have we done done for our nation?” India is really a great nation, only 200 hundred yeras ago India was the richest nation of the world, in 1947 India was the 5th developed country of the world. I think corruption is the biggest problem of our nation. Let us make up our minds not to participate in it by not paying bribes.Let us popularise people like Arvind kejariwal, Manjunath and look upto them as our modern ideals rather than our filmstars, cricketers or other celebrities.
Leave out our responsibilites of keeping our streets, Roads and other public places clean.
How many of us exercise our primal right of Voting in any elections.
Its one of the Prime and important right that is enthroned on us by which we can elect a demoractic government.
How many of us so called Learned and Professionals go out and stand in queues to exercises their right ot VOTE.
The total percentage of turnouts in all the metro cities doesnt cross 60% in past few years.
If everyone does exercise their Voting Right INDIA will not be the same ! ! ! ! !
Dont Blame government for You mistake of NOT VOTING.
VOTING is Your RIGHT
If you Dont VOTE You Dont have the Right to SPEAK
Best regards
Raphael
hi uttishthata.
hollo friends.
i appreciate YOU Uttishthata for Initiating and for starting this community. Iam feel very sad to agree our INDIANS are not thinking about it(like WAITING FOR SOME ONE TO COME). I just want to give a message for those who r reading this article “PLEASE START DREAMING DEVELEPOED INDIA”.
We can see developed INDIA we can make developed INDIA.
THANK YOU YOUNG DEVELOPED INDIANS………..
Priceless……… cant even dare to speak anything in front of this great man Abdul Kalam
hi friend… we must be proud that we had lived in the time of apj kalam.. our’s student and president….. he is best indian… he cannot presdient of next 5 yr . but he is role model for the life
Dear Sir,
This is a bitter truth of our today’s Indian community. It is reducing to some
extent but Media has to play a positive role or otherwise government should put
some norms for media in this direction. For such things there should be a movement
called Positive India which will spread only positive news and people want it for
their emotional health. This is a National problem and we must address it.
Individually everybody is good here but collectively we can not work for the cause.
Swami Vivekananda had warned us again and again and gave the reason for this that
it is the slave mentality which is eating away our great tradition and culture
of Renunciation and Service.
Let us hope for the better result in the near future but some program is needed.
Thanking you.
Santosh
DEAR SANTOSH,
I CONSIDER WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HAD APJ AS OUR PRESIDENT.HE DREAMED OF DEVOLOPED INDIA AND DARED US TO DREAM TOO.WHAT WE HAVE READ ABOVE IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH VERBATIM(AKSHARASATYAM). COSIDER THIS “GOVT EMPLOYEES ARE SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE”CAN ANY ONE SAY SO.PEOPLE SLAVE MENTALITY.BEFORE KEJRIWAL NOBODY WAS RESPONSIBLE TO PART INFORMATION.PEOPLE HAVE RIGHT TO KNOW.BUT THEY NEVER REALIZED THEIR THEIR RIGHT TO KNOW TILL KEJRIWAL CAME ON TO THE SCENE. LIKE THIS WE NEED TORCH BEARERS WHO CAN DRIVE OUR SOCEITY FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT.YES THAT WILL SURELY HAPPEN AS WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE OU BELOVED KALAM.WE NOW REQUIRE HANDS RHAT WORK TO TRANSFORM OUR COUNTRY TO A DYNAMIC VIBRANT DEVOLOPED NATION.
THANK YOU
VANDE MATARAM
JAI HIND
Dear Indians,
I was totally inspired with the suggestions, views and the path that our Kalam Sahab showed us. So, just
Keeping one thing in mind, I was following the rule “TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE SYSTEM.
And want to do my best from my part to see India with EYES OF OUR “KALAM SAHAB”.
JAI HIND
PROUD TO BE INDIANS
Dear readers,
Above article is the unfortunate truth about India and Indians. Actually whole System needs
a revolution. And we are the integral part of the same system. There are countless problems
in the system…
Let us take one at a time.
I am presenting you a story of a boy named Dharam (hypothetical name).
Dharam was never serious with his study and other family works. His father was a farmer and
never looked into the matter. After Dharam grown up he felt shocked when responsibilities
knocked his door as he was not ready for it.
So to cope up the pity siyuation of Dharam, his father arranged Rs.1,000,000/- to buy a
police uniform for Dharam. After some arrangements and by the miracle of Rs.1,000,000/- Dharam
successfully grabed the constable uniform. An inflow of salary of Rs.4,000/- started. But as
every one know that this is not a sufficient amount to fullfill the requirements of 11 membered
family of Dharam so he started looking for some other sources of earning to full fill the
financial problems of his family and he found taking BRIBERY an only hope…
From that day till now he is taking BRIBE with no same as if it is his BIRTH-RIGHT.
Who is culprit in this particular case?
1. Dharam’s Father:- He didn’t bothered about the study of Dharam, about the friend circle of
Dharam.
2. Dharam:- He was never serious about his own life.
He chose an easy but unlawful solution to
3. Government:- Government didn’t take care of thousands of people like Dharam which results
in the making of thousand new Dharam daily.
4. I, you (WE):- We give him Bribe to get an easy pass through of our works (sometime illigal
works).
We never try to help the people who really need our help. We close our eyes.
We only elect the same government every time and then we only cry for the
works not done by our own government
We will read the above article and may be we will farward the same to some
of our friends. But we will never go for the painstaking work of doing
something for this.
“The above story is one of the millions of the same stories…”
If we see the broad picture, we will find that the system needs immidate and complete
resolution. And please dont forget that “We” all are the essential part of this system.
Atleast we can start the holy work from ourselves.
And believe me if we change…. Entire System Will Change….
Dear Sir,
when each citizen of India ,will awaken to his own self, As Indian it will change .For that need to change curriculum of school..We must learn about our great scriptures,which can not be compared to any gegree and understanding of living life to the fulles without stress,which Vedanta and Bhagavad Geeta provides. So please do the needful.
Hi all,
I am feeling very proud after reading this article just not because I read such thought invocation article but having such personality like Dr. Kalam in our time. Now a days you will not find any high authority having such thoughts about India and Indians.There are many people having such thoughts but either they are bound to express or they are not able to make there voice loud enough so that a common man can hear. so this is the time to make every Indian feel proud of being “INDIAN” , of course starting from myself.
Salute to Dr. kalam and hoping to have such great expressions from you in future.
Thanks and best wishes from
ASHISH
Dear Sir,
Thank You for your great speech. Every indians should changed a lot. Lets take this
speech in a positve aspect. Iam proud to be an indian and I hope one day , we will be the best
in the world. definitely, this speech will make some changes atleast to some indians.
thank you for the speeech once again..
SIR ,IT WAS A LOVELY N VERY ENCOURAGING EXPERIENCE TO READ THIS I M A PROUD INDIAN AND THIS
ARTICLE HAS HAS MADE ME FEEL PROUDER………………..EARLIER I USED TO PREVENT MYSELF FROM LITTERINS…………
……………NOW I PROMISE EVERYONE WHO’S READING IT………….THAT I LL PREVERNT EVERYONE FROM LITTERING…..
…………..I M READY TO WORK FOR MY NATION N THEN ONLY WILL I HAVE A …………..REASON TO CALL MY SELF A TRUE INDIAN……….
THANK U SO MUCH SIR 4 INSPIRING ALL OF US………….I PROMISE I LL NEVER B THE ONE WHO RUNS AWAY 4M MY RESPONSIBILITIES
TOWARDS MY COUNTRY ……………………………………………………..JAI HIND!
DEAREST DR. KALAM,
I FULLY APPRECIATE AND AGREE WITH THE EACH AND EVERY WORD OF THE LETTER. I AM AN INDIAN TO
THE CORE AND NOW STAYING IN AUSTRALIA. I MYSELF AND MY FELLOWS FOLLOW ALL THE RULES BUT WHEN
WE LAND ON INDIAN SOIL THINGS CHANGE. BUT ACTUALLY WHAT CHANGES IS THE ATTITUDE…”ARRE WOH KAR RAHA TO MAIN KYUN NA KAROON”.WHAT IS REQUIRED IS GROSS CHANGE IN THE MENTALITY AND ATTITUDE AMOUNG THE MASSES
WHICH CAN ONLY BE BROUGHT ABOUT BY EDUCATION. AS THE MAHATMA HAD RIGHTLY SAID ONCE,” EDUCATE
IF YOU CAN, LEGISLATE IF YOU CAN’T”…..INDIAN MASSES ARE EDUCATED BUT THEY HAVE SCANT RESPECT
FOR THE LAWS.WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS TO MAKE LAWS STRINGENT AND FINES BULK AND EXPENSIVE.
I HAVE SEEN IT WORK WONDERS IN AUSTRALIA AND I AM SURE, HARD TOILING PEOPLE OF MY COUNTRY
WOULD REALLY REFRAIN FROM PAYING RS.500 FOR SPITTING ON THE PAVEMENT( IN SYDNEY FINE FOR
SPITTING IS 600 AUD).
SIR I WISH THE GOVERNMENT AND WE THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEM, REALISE THIS NOW SO THAT NO ONE
IN THIS WORLD CAN LOOK UPON US AS DOWNTRODDEN WHEN WE ARE NOT, AS POOR WHEN WE ARE LEADING PRODUCERS
OF SO MANY EATABLES, AS CORRUPT WHEN USA HAS MORE OF IT THAN US, AS UN-CIVIL WHEN WE STILL
RESPECT OUR WOMEN AND HOLD ON TO FAMILY VALUES AS COMPARED TO WEST, AS WEAK WHEN WE HAVE ONE
OF THE LARGEST AND STRONGEST ARMIES IN THE WORLD, AS FEARLFUL WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THE
SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT BY OUR ARMY CAN WIPE OUT NATIONS WHO DARE TO THREAT US…OUR PATIENCE/TOLERANCE
IS OUR STRENGTH NOT OUR WEAKNESS.
I WANT ALL INDIANS WHO READ THIS LETTER TO ABSORB EACH WORD OF IT AND THEN TRY AND ACT UPON IT.
THE DAY IS NOT FAR WHEN INDIA WILL BE THE RICHEST AND STRONGEST DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD.IT IS GETTIN
THERE BUT NEEDS TO BOOSTED BY US THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE GOVERNMENT.
REGARDS..JAI HIND
dear father,
No words to speak.Really it should have touched every heart.i came to know how the reallity looks in paper.thank god today i came to know how it is..At least i will promise you sir ,that i can change my sorroundings with in one year.
Hello Sir,
Yes, I agree with your every single word and I would like to include an important thing which is affecting India very badly which is CORRUPTION. I think by controlling corruption we can have major changes in our nation. And I am really worried about our media, As Dr. Kalam mentioned in the above letter, MEDIA is not thinking in a right way and this is because, even media got corrupted. Actually, I really respect MEDIA; media is one of the powerful things which can change the world, so I request media people to think in a way to develop a nation. And coming to cleanliness & decency it is the responsibility of every person who live in India. And finally I would request all my brothers & sisters not to get corrupted and “LOVE everyone & RESPECT their values”……………..Be Proud to be an INDIAN.