Prof. A.K. Grover, Vice Chancellor, P.U. with Dr. A.P.J. Kalam at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) at Mumbai on June 1, 2010. Also in the picture are Dr. S. Banerjee, then Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and then Director, TIFR Prof. Mustansir Barma (extreme right)

VIDEO INTERVIEW …

Text of the video interview taken by Mr. Dinesh Lakhanpal (DL) at TIFR Guest House, Mumbai on June 1, 2010, on the occasion of Second TIFR Foundation Day Lecture.

Dinesh Lakhanpal (DL): How would you like this country to remember Bhabha?

Dr A P J Kalam (Dr APJ)  : Well Dr Homi Jehagir Bhabha was a visionary. It can be said that he started TIFR first, the Atomic Energy Establishment but that was not the end of it. The Culture, the visionary culture which he had started had spread to all the scientific institutions, all the technological establishments, of what Homi Bhabha and his vision had radiated…has spread to all the scientific establishments he started.

DL: Did you ever had the chance to meet Bhabha?

Dr APJ : No .but once I was abroad, in a winter,  in Paris, all the Atomic Energy people, he visited us…I still remember that.

DL : When you were heading SLV project, at some point of time you had advised your colleagues try not to be scientists but keep the target in focus. Can you elaborate on that?

Dr. A P J : See science you can’t negotiate. Any work technical people do, science is the foundation…what I had told them was the type of work they are doing they must complete that and succeed… this is what I said, I never said you negotiate with science..

DL : You personally had to face so many set backs in your early caree. Project Nandi had to be abandoned, RADO was discontinued, your first attempt to lauch satellite failed bringing lots of criticism. What kept you going?

Dr A P J : You know.. I had a guru. The guru name is Satish Dhawan. He gave me  big project. That was to put a rocket system, to put a satellite in orbit.  Then I was finding it as a very big job for me, too much. Then he gave me an advice.. advice was… if you do not do any important mission, no problem,  once you important mission there will some complex problems come, but the problem should not become your Captain, you should become the captain of your problem and defeat the problem and succeed. This is the doctrine, this the great advice I had received from Prof Satish Dhawan. And that stands always, whatever happens.

DL : In your biography you have mentioned having gone through a strange spiritual experience when you met Swami Sivanand ji in Rishikesh during your times of personal uncertainties at a very young age. What was that?

Dr. A P J : What I felt was you could meet him.. you were no body and still could meet him..I was young, having come out of college, gone for an interview, air force interview, not got selected… some mood was there .. I was passing through Rishikesh… got down, went to the Ashram.. and there were all sorts of community. International community..our own community.. all were there…but he (would) select three people.. for audience … only three people.. and he chose one French man, one Indian and one young fellow like me. He called me and asked me what is the problem? Why are you looking sad? I told him I went for an interview and could not get selected. So I am bit dejected. He talked about Vishwaroopa.. asked me you know about that.. Lord Krishna had taken Vishwaroopa.. and he explained the whole thing from Gita.. and the message he gave was that problem should not shine.. success should shine..you continuously work for success you would succeed.

DL : As you often mention, India is the Fifth country to become a Nuclear Power and sixth in being able to launch our own satellite in space….how and in which area do you think India can become the first country to be called so?

Dr A P J : Well I personally believe  that in that only science comes in a big way. Only fundamental science…fundamental research ..like TIFR what they are doing…. That is very important. Up to certain point you can negotiate.. you can be sixth nation … fourth nation.. third nation… but if you want to become first or second.. then research will become the technology and technology will become the system. So there the research is essential. So when I see at TIFR, lot of research activity, I feel very happy. 

DL : You have been known as People’s President and in a country of Gautam Buddha and Gandhi you are also known as Missile Man. Please comment.

Dr. A P J : I don’t want any name. Basically I am  a  teacher. You call me a teacher, okay. ( and laughs)

DL : If you would like to give a message to us all today..

Dr. A P J : One thing I want for all. . we have 540 million people below thirty.. . it is a big number. I want to see all of them have a confidence – I can do it.

And then Dr A P J Kalaam  asked me to join him and repeat -  I can do it, we can do it and India will  do it.