Bhubaneshwar:
Follow your dreams with dedication. This was former President A P J Abdul Kalam's message to thousands of students who gathered for the Children's Science Congress (CSC) at the KIIT University in Bhubaneswar.
Inaugurating the CSC, he also asked the students not to be bogged down by China marching ahead of India in research and development.
"Work hard. Continuously acquire knowledge. Have a great aim in life. Be unique and work with dedication towards your goals," he told the students who heard him in rapt attention.
His remarks came a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voiced concern over India's relative position in the field of science and technology being overtaken by countries like China.
Later, Kalam faced a volley of questions from the young minds ranging from fight against corruption to missile launches off the Odisha coast affecting marine life.
"Make your home free from corruption," was his brief answer to fighting corruption.
To a question on how he managed to balance science and politics when he was the president, he quipped, "Science needs lots of money and money comes from politicians.
"Earth, Moon and Mars will become economic entities in the next three decades and we will be seeking lot of things from there," was his reply to a question on growing interest in space exploration.
More than 15,000 delegates, including scientists and students, are participating in the January 3-7 event being held at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology here.
The theme of the conference is "Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation - Role of Women".