New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Jan 11, 2004) asked the non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to share their knowledge to help India become a developed nation, lift all its people above the poverty line and make them literate by 2020.

"You should perform the best for the country you live in. We don't need anything from you, but your knowledge. Make your family in India happy and use your knowledge and experience to make India developed," Kalam told a large gathering of NRIs and PIOs at the Moghul Gardens in Rashtrapati Bhavan where he hosted High Tea for them.

Kalam, as usual, departed from protocol and mingled freely with the guests, who came here to attend the second Pravasi Bharatiya Conference. He shook hands with them and freely gave autographs to many of them who jostled to get close to him.

As the microphones on the podium failed, the President took a cordless mike, descended from the dais and stood in the open surrounded by the guests. He also took a few questions after his speech.

Among those present were former President K R Narayanan, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh, former Prime Minister I K Gujral and eminent personality Karan Singh.

The prominent guests included Mauritian Deputy Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Lord Meghnad Desai and Jean Pierre Harrison, husband of late astronaut Kalpana Chawla.

"You are umbilically connected to India. Your family lives here; this is your home. With this connectivity between you and the people of India, we should work together for one mission.

"In a nation of a billion people, 260 million live below poverty line. We have to lift them up," Kalam said amid applause from the audience.

Observing that India was a land of 5000 years of civilisation and rich heritage, he said the areas where thrust needed to be given had been identified as -- agriculture, education, healthcare, information technology, infrastructure development and critical technologies. "You have to share your knowledge in these fields".

To a question on how to remove corruption, Kalam said no matter how many laws were passed to prevent the scourge, "There are only three people who can remove corruption --father, mother and the elementary school teacher".

Asked by a PIO as to what his passion was, he said, "I want the 260 million people to smile". This evoked all-round applause.

On another question about the status of women, the President said women's education was being given the highest priority. "There is a demand for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament. I hope they will succeed one day and make the country great."

To a question as to how to control population growth, he said improvement in the status of women's education would only ensure small families.

Kalam's replies became instant hit with the gathering who responded with a loud applause.