Friday, September 23 2005 10:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gangtok: President A P J Abdul Kalam yesterday (Sept 22, 2005) asked the Sikkim Government to harness the 'natural wealth' of the state and place it onto the path of progress and prosperity.

The need of the hour is to concentrate on ways to tap resources like rivers for hydel power generation, floriculture and horticulture and make it one of the most developed states in the country, he said addressing the state assembly's special sitting in Gangtok.

"What is needed is a search for methods through which these resources could be tapped to the hilt."

The President also made a presentation on the state's natural wealth for growth, including its rivers, which could be used in a major way for hydel-power generation.

Delving on the state's tremendous potential in the field of horticulture and floriculture, he said efforts should be made to find a global market for its horticultural and floricultural products.

Kalam said the state had great tourism potential and it could be boosted further with proper attention paid to ecology.

Later the President inaugurated the newly renovated Palzor stadium here, which will host the Governor's Gold Cup football tournament from today (Sept 23, 2005).

A colorful song and dance performance by schoolchildren was also put up in his honor on the occasion at the stadium.

The President asked the students present at the stadium to take a pledge that each one of them will teach five persons how to read and write and plant at least five saplings.

Later the scientist-turned president told an interactive session with students that he found both roles equally challenging but was sure he would get back to teaching and research once his tenure was over in July 2007.

The students, representing different schools of Gangtok and its neighborhood at the Tashi Nagyal Senior Secondary School, had asked him what role he thought was more important for the country, that of a scientist or that of a President.

To another question about his best and worst experiences as the President, he said the best part of being the president of a vast country like India was that it gave him the opportunity to interact with thousands of students across the country, which he enjoys doing most.

"And the worst part is that it brings me face to face with abject poverty in different parts of the country," he said and invoked the students to muster all the strength that is needed to fight it.