IIM-Shillong announces programmes on Kalam's birth anniversary

Shillong: Indian Institute of Management Shillong is launching a Centre for Policy Research to honour former president APJ Abdul Kalam, whose 85th birth anniversary is on Thursday.

In keeping with the objective of former president APJ Abdul Kalam of bringing societal development, another initiative 'Nurturing Minds' will be undertaken by the institute's students to teach mathematics to school goers starting from class VIII once a week beginning this Saturday.

"APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research is to be founded in keeping with his objective of societal development," IIM-Shillong director Prof Amitabh De said, announcing a series of programmes initiated by the Institute here during the special program to commemorate Kalam's birth anniversary at the institute's premises.

He said in the initial phase of 'Nurturing Minds', classes of two-hour duration will be conducted for selected students nominated by local schools beginning this Saturday.

An annual function will also be organized every year to honour Kalam who delivered his last lecture at the IIM-Shillong premises, hours before his death in July, he said.

A 2,000 sq ft auditorium with the capacity to seat 200 students will be set up in the institute in Kalam's and his bust will be placed there.

As part of the anniversary celebration, a scientific seminar on 'Science and Humanism for National Development' was also organised remembering Kalam's contribution to science and his objective of social development.