Kalam to market India on maiden foreign trip

BANGALORE: Dreaming to market India, President A P J Abdul Kalam sets out on his maiden foreign trip on Saturday. He will be visiting United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sudan and Bulgaria and will be back on October 25. With this visit, the President keeps his promise not to undertake any trips abroad until he completes Bharat Darshan to interact with children.
Rashtrapati Bhavan sources told The Times of India on Friday that Kalam will be leading a small delegation, which he has termed ''a purposeful team.'' On his first stop, Kalam will address the Indian ambassadors of five countries falling under UAE, to give tips on ''how to market India as a favourite destination.'' “This is not a pleasure trip, but one tipped with his dream of a developed India.He feels India needs to be portrayed and marketed well, so as to achieve all the elements of a developed country,� sources said.
Among the key ''products'' that he would be keen to market would be India''s space technology, superiority in solar power and his favourite pet — missiles — especially the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos.
The President is likely to visit the Knowledge City, Special School, desalination plant and pharmaceutical companies in the Gulf. “The President feels that India''s water worries can be set aside if we master the technology to get drinking water from the sea. UAE can play a major role in helping India in this regard,� sources said.
Kalam will also address the Dubai Chambers of Commerce and students at Indian High School.
In Sudan, Kalam is expected to address the National Assembly apart from giving talks to children in schools and universities, while he may sign some bilateral agreements with Bulgaria. “Technology sharing and coming together in developing new products will be high on the President’s agenda when he makes his presentations. He will also hardsell India to investors,� sources added. “There is a likelihood of inking two pacts with Bulgaria and an extradition treaty with Sudan,� sources added. He will also meet the Sudanese alumni of Indian universities.
Interestingly, Kalam is said to be firm in not taking a huge team along with him. “He believes in mission accomplishments with the backing of a core group. The delegation will be smallest one can dream of,� sources said.