Former President APJ Abdul Kalam discusses various topics in this podcast, including his vision for India's energy independence by 2030. He emphasizes the importance of solar power, nuclear power, and biofuels in achieving this goal. Additionally, he discusses leadership qualities required to lead a country like India, including vision, courage, and nobility in management. President Kalam also shares an experience of managing failure and learning from it. He highlights the concept of "Pura" to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas, and he envisions a future with societal grids to empower rural citizens. Lastly, he reflects on his presidency and mentions an initiative he wished he could have completed, such as powering the Rashtrapati Bhawan with solar energy.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Wharton India Economic Forum was held in Philadelphia in 2008 with the theme "India Imagine".
2. The event featured several leaders, including APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India.
3. APJ Abdul Kalam was born in Rameshwaram in 1931.
4. Kalam saw India gain independence in 1947 when he was a schoolboy.
5. Kalam worked with visionaries like Vikram Sarabhai and Dr. Brahm Prakash.
6. Kalam was involved in India's space program and was responsible for the development of the country's first satellite launch vehicle.
7. Kalam earned the nickname "the missile man of India" for his work on the country's missile program.
8. Kalam played a key role in India's nuclear program in 1998.
9. Kalam was elected as the President of India in 2002 and served until 2007.
10. Kalam believes that a leader must have six traits: vision, ambition, the ability to take risks, the ability to manage success and failure, courage, and nobility in management.
11. Kalam has a vision for India to become energy-independent by 2030 through the use of solar power, nuclear power, and biofuels.
12. Kalam believes that technology plays an important role in India's development and has proposed the concept of a "societal grid" to bring about economic growth and societal transformation.
13. During his presidency, Kalam faced a major leadership challenge when he had to return the "Office of Profit" bill to the Parliament for reconsideration.
14. Kalam regrets not being able to power the Rashtrapati Bhavan with solar energy during his presidency.
15. Kalam is a gifted poet and has recited his poems in Parliament.