Kochi: President A P J Abdul Kalam on September 26 exhorted the students to have a mission in their life, work hard to achieve the same and also have perseverance.

During an interactive session with the students of AL-Ameen Public School at the nearby Edappally, Kalam called upon the student community to dream and put in hard work to realise their aim.

President recited a poem, which said 'learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge, knowledge makes you great' and wanted the students also to repeat the poem.

During the interaction, a first standard student, Lakshmi, asked the President, who was his best friend? 'Yourself' said Dr Kalam jokingly. Enquiring her name, he said 'God is my friend, he helps whenever I am in sorrow and in some difficulties", the President said.

To a query from another student, Dr Kalam said the combination of mother, father and elementary school teacher, would create an enlightened citizen.

To another query, whether he was interested in being a scientist or as a President, Dr Kalam said, 'I was throughout 40 years a technologist. During this period I had faced both success and defeat. I also learned how to face failures'.

Referring to "India 2020" plan to make the country a developed one, Kalam emphasised the need to bring cheers on the face of the people who were below the poverty line.

PTI