He came, he saw, he conquered. It wasn’t a battlefield or a sports arena but the auditorium of the Global Indian International School in Singapore (Balestier campus) and the charmer was former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The former President was here to inaugurate the 3rd campus of the Global Indian International School.

The day’s proceedings commenced with Dr. Kalam garlanding the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Over a hundred students from the Balestier campus lined up in the central courtyard, waving Indian and Singapore flags in unison.

This was followed by the unveiling of the plaque stone marking the official opening of the Balestier campus.

Dr. Kalam was then escorted to the school auditorium where he addressed a packed audience. Owing to his eloquence sprinkled with interesting anecdotes from his school days, Dr Kalam struck a quick rapport with the students. Sharing his vision with the young students of the Indian Diaspora, Dr Kalam observed, “Today, we are empowered by technology to teach ourselves beyond classrooms and become lifelong learners. This is indeed required for sustained economic development of nations and also individuals.”

He summed up his inspirational address to GIIS students, saying that he truly believes that teachers can create an enlightened human being in two ways – Firstly, by building capacities among their students to inquire, innovate, be creative and develop the qualities of entrepreneurship and moral leadership. Secondly, teachers can assist in the development of the moral value system amongst their students.

Dr Kalam answered a volley of questions from students, ranging from the recent signing of the Indo-US nuclear deal to the role he envisaged for the girl child during his presidency to a great scientist or a great President, which role did he enjoy more?

The former President applauded GIIS for its ‘Flip a generation’ project which aims to empower the Adivasi children in India with education.

Several dignitaries graced the occasion. These included the Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Dr S Jaishankar, former ambassador Mr Kesavapany, Mr Boon Kiat, GM of IBM Global Tech Services for ASEAN region and Board members of the GIF-Justice C S Dharmadhikari, former Bombay high court judge, Dr Abid Hussain, former ambassador and Mr. Chandu Borde, former Chairman of Board of Cricket Council of India