New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam said that during his recent three-nation tour he asked children there to work for universal prosperity and world peace and said the aspirations of the young, whether in India or abroad, were the same.

In his message to children on the eve of Children's Day broadcast on radio, he said children everywhere wanted to "live in a peaceful, prosperous and secure nation. All of them are looking for challenging missions, good role models and leaders who can be their guiding spirit."

The President said a combination of knowledge, enthusiasm and hard work of the youth was a great dynamic force available for the societal transformation.

"We belong to one society and we should work for the universal prosperity and world peace," he said.

He recalled how President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahayan, ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1966, played a major role in conceiving the federation and the UAE was formed in 1971.

"When I see the spectacular result of their vision for UAE, I am reminded of some of the visionaries who transformed India to build core competency in their respective fields using technology and innovative management as a tool," Kalam said.

PTI