Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Former President of India: Speeches : Details

I am indeed delighted to participate in this National Film Awards function. I congratulate particularly all the award winners, artists, technicians and all those associated with films, for their excellent performance in various facets of entertainment industry. I particularly congratulate Shri Mrinal Sen for winning the coveted Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2004.

When I see you all, the galaxies in every field of cinema and theater, if you don't mind, I would like to give a challenging mission. What is that mission? The mission, I have for you is, through your cinema, through your songs, through your actions, can you make the nation to win? The nation has got everything, but we need leaders with nobility, can you present the success stories of young men and young women in the political field wining in your story, in your song and in your action to make the nation great. You may say that, you find it difficult in reality, but it is not true. Mahatma Gandhi was there, Jawaharlal Nehru was there, Vallabhai Patel was there, Gopalakrishna Gokhle was there, Abul Kalam Azad was there, like this number of leaders was there. If you can portray ten episodes of present day young man or women winning and succeeding in politics with nobility, you have done your mission.

In this connection, now I would like to share a poem which I composed sometime back. It is titled "Rock Walls"

Some build rock walls all their lives,
When they die miles of walls divide them.
Others build rock walls, one rock on another,
And: then build a terrace, where they pray for love.

Yet others build walls to enclose orchards,
Endeavouring to find ways to fulfill hunger.
A few others build rock walls - to make a home,
It is their mission to serve humanity and nature.

I build no walls, to confirm to joy or sorrow;
To sacrifice or achieve, or to gain or lose,
I just grow flowers on all open spaces,
And float lilies on ponds and rivers.

I keep planting trees, for birds to have nests,
At the dawn of the sun, when morning breeze blow.
Sun light get filtered through shining tree leaves,
Birds' flight gives me sense of freedom and pleasure.

Scattered light of colour and treasure,
Fragrance of flowers gives me delight of creator.
Lilies floating over like nature's dance,
Why should I build walls to confine them all?

I have no house, only open spaces,
Filled with truth, kindness and dreams.
Desire to see my country developed and great,
Dreams to see everywhere happiness and peace.

Will you all work for converting this desire and dream into action? My best wishes to all of you for success in this challenging mission.