Rajkot: “India will be a developed country by the end of the next decade through sustainable GDP growth fueled by agricultural growth through scientific means and technology development,” said former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in response to a school student’s question on when and how India could become a developed country. He was present at the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Balbhavan building at Race Course Ground here on Wednesday. The building was dedicated as part of Rajkot Balbhavan’s golden jubilee celebrations.
Kalam took 15 questions from the students who wanted to know everything from space technology, nuclear energy, global warming to rocket science. Later, he went to Sat Sai Hospital, a heart specialty hospital, to meet children who have recently undergone surgery. On the occasion, Kalam said that he likes to visit Gujarat, which is the state of his mentor, Vikram Sarabhai. Besides, for him, it is always a pleasure to come to Rajkot, where Mahatma Gandhi studied. Kalam said Gandhi, along with scientists like Thomas Alva Edison, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, were four great men who have left their lasting influence on mankind.
The new building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore and lies adjacent to the old Balbhavan at Race Course complex. The building is equipped with better facilities and will redefine learning and recreation for children in Rajkot. It has been christened as Dr Ashok Mehta Arts and Science Centre, after its major donor and former president of Lions International, Ashok Mehta. Based in Mumbai, he donated Rs 70 lakh to the project as Rajkot is his hometown.
Of the total 55,000 square yards, the activity centre of the Balbhavan spreads over 50,000 square yards. It packs in a library, an indoor sports complex, art gallery, museum, auditorium, computer laboratory, painting and crafts hall, a lounge and an administrative office.
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