The people's President recived a grand welcome by Indian-Americans

HOUSTON: Former President A P J Abdul Kalam received a grand welcome by Indian-Americans, who poured in large numbers at an event here to catch a glimpse of his vision of a prosperous India by 2020.

Addressing a gathering of over 500 people on Thursday at the India House sponsored luncheon, he presented the dreams that would pave the way for intensifying cooperation towards economic growth and national prosperity of participating nations.

The people's President said that the gross domestic product - the current gold standard in economics - should be modified in two ways: by counting reductions in the number of poor, and by creating some way to assess the health of a nation's values or character.

"This economic growth is not fully reflected in the quality of life for a large number of people, particularly in rural areas and even in urban areas. At this moment in India, 32 per cent of people live below the poverty line."

Lauding the role of Indian-Americans in bringing two nations close and for maintaining their cultural values, he appreciated the idea of India House in Houston that will give a sense of pride and identity for 1,20,000 Indian Americans living here and for their future generations.

Courtesy:The Times of ndia
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