PRESIDENT AS TEACHER: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with schoolchildern at the Srinagar Raj Bhavan on Saturday. -- PHOTO: NISSAR AHMAD

SRINAGAR: President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam said on Saturday that he wished to be remembered as a human being rather than as the President or a scientist. He said children all over the country had a dream and it was not impossible to realise that.

Interacting with a group of children here he said: ``During my interaction with 6,00,000 children in different parts of the country, both urban and rural areas, and e-mails and letters received from many citizens of our nation, I realise our children have a dream. Their dream is to live in a prosperous, happy and safe India. How do we build a new India of their dream? To realise this dream certain unique qualities are essential.''

To a pointed question what he would like to be remembered in history, Mr. Kalam said: ``I want to be remembered as a good human being.''

He called upon children to learn as much they can and said: ``When learning is purposeful, creativity blossoms. When creativity blossoms, thinking emanates. When thinking emanates, knowledge is fully lit. When knowledge is lit, economy flourishes.''

To another question, the President ruled out disaster collisions in space due to traffic hold-ups and said that ``before any new launch take place, debris analysis is done. The whole system works on international guidelines. This will ensure the prevention of disastrous collision.''

Mr. Kalam did not agree with the view that scientific temperament was not catching up in the country. ``There was progressive increase in the application of science in day-to-day activity by our citizens. All the youth have to promote a scientific temper in their home, in their surroundings and wherever they can influence.''

To a question on child labour, the President said he had given assent to a Bill for free and compulsory education for the all children in the age group of 5-14. Also, industry was being asked not to resort to child labour.'' The mid-day meal scheme, he said, had been introduced by many State Governments to prevent nourishment to poor children. ``Collective societal action is required to wean away the practice of child labour in the country.'' He also gave six-point oath to children. Mr. Kalam later returned to Delhi after two days of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

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