Patna: President A P J Abdul Kalam charmed over 3,000 school children in an interactive session at the Raj Bhawan, on May 30 during which he answered a volley of questions ranging from his ideals in life to how to make India prosperous.

Attired in a pair of black trousers and a white shirt, Kalam told the children about the importance of learning and sincerity and developing scientific temperament to achieve goals in life.

When Manisha Kaushik, a student of Mount Carmel School asked him how to make India a developed country, the President said ''If we teach poor children by sparing time on holidays, we can spread the light of learning among millions of illiterates. Besides, the country needs to enhance its agricultural productivity.''

Given its vast potential, Bihar should be next to none, not even Punjab, in reaping the benefits of the Green Revolution if its resources were scientifically utilised, Kalam said.

Describing Bihar as the land of Lord Mahavira, Gautam Buddha and Ashoka, he said with such a great cultural and spiritual heritage there was nothing that should block the state's path to progress.

Asked by another child about who were his ideals, the President named his guru Vikram Sarabhai, Subramaniam Iyer and three teachers who had taught him.

To a query about his favourite food, Kalam smiled and said simple vegetarian food like roti, dal, rice etc.

PTI