Dubai: It was an unforgettable moment for 1,500 school children from Indian schools in the Gulf, as they had an interaction with President A P J Abdul Kalam who is on a "learning trip" to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sudan and Bulgaria.

Kalam, who reached Dubai on October 20 morning after a two-hour drive from Abu Dhabi went straight to the Indian High School, where he impressed on the students, "Learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thought, though provides knowledge and knowledge makes you great."

Emphasising on the need to have a vision, he explained to the children aged between eight and 17 that it was because of thousands of visionaries like scientists and engineers that India has been able to advance technologically and also launch rockets in space.

Kalam stressed on the need to always think, saying, "There is no age bar to thinking as it triggers your imagination."

In a message to the children, he said, "Knowledge is so powerful that it can be used to strengthen your mind, but possessed the righteousness and a built-in character as these are very important in life."

He told students to study and excel and "make a contribution as citizens of the country you are living in and when you come to India share your knowledge and experience with your countrymen".

PTI