Indian civilisational heritage is built on universal spirit. India always stood for friendship and extends warm hands to the whole world. We have made significant achievements in the last 50 years in food production, health sector, higher education, media and mass communication, industrial infrastructure, information technology, science and technology and defence. Our nation is endowed with natural resources, vibrant people and traditional value system. In spite of these resources, a number of our people are below the poverty line, undernourished and lack primary education itself. Our aim is to empower them to be poverty free, healthy and literate.
A country needs to have the characteristics as defined in Thirukkural, composed over 2,000 years ago:"Pini inmai Selvam Vilaivinbam Emam, aniyenba Nattirkiv vainthu."That is, "The important elements that constitute a nation are: being disease free; wealth; high productivity; harmonious living and strong defence."
All our efforts should be focused towards building these five elements at various levels in a coherent and in an integrated manner. I am convinced that our nation with a strong, vibrant and billion plus population can contribute to realise these elements.Today our country is facing challenges such as cross-border terrorism, certain internal conflicts and unemployment. To face these challenges, there must be a vision to ensure focused action of one billion citizens of this great country with varied capabilities.What can be that vision? It can be none other than transforming India into a developed nation.
Can the government alone achieve this vision? Now, we need a movement in the country.
This is the time to ignite the minds of the people for this movement. We will work for it.
We cannot emerge as a developed nation if we do not learn to transact with speed. I recall the saintly poet Kabir's wisdom to us: "Kaal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab". that means, "What you want to do tomorrow do it today, and what you want to do today do it now."

---Address by President Abdul Kalam in the Central Hall of Parliament after being sworn in as the President of India