Dr Kalam remembered at IIM Shillong amidst the cheer of 'Nurturing Minds' and setting up of Dr Kalam Centre 

Shillong : Saturday, the 15th of October marked the 85th Birth Anniversary of our former president and persona par excellence, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. On this momentous occasion, the IIM Shillong family came together in a celebration of the great personality in its own special way as the Institute hosted Dr MukulSangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri V Shanmuganathan, His Excellency, Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Naveen Verma, Secretary, DoNER, Shri Ram Muivah, Secretary, North Eastern Council amongst other dignitaries. The duo presided over the signing of tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of DoNER and North Eastern Council for the setting up Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis at IIM Shillong as approved by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). 

The build up to the event saw students from different B Schools share on social media, how Dr Kalam affected their lives and rekindle‘the Kalam’ in each one of them. An abstract art event was also organized for all the participants at the institute as a part of the celebration. 

The day started with a brain-storming session involving the dignitaries, students and faculty of the Institute. The agenda of the session was to formulate solutions for the myriad problems faced by Horticulture in the North-East and how the new Centre for Policy Research and Analysis can contribute towards the resolution of the same. 

As the Chief Minister addressed the gathering, he highlighted the need for a platform that can function as an aggregator for ideas. The message was reiterated by Shri Shanmuganathan, Governor of Meghalaya as he expressed his desire to rapidly develop the North- East and fully harness its tremendous potential and creativity. 

The day also marked the first anniversary of “Nurturing Minds”, the unique initiative of the institute that began on Oct 15, 2015, in memory of Dr Kalam to spread his lessons and promote his learnings. The program widely supported by the IIM Shillong community, and recognized across Shillong, currently reaches out to 60 children from seven schools in Shillong. To celebrate the occasion, a number of fun filled activities were lined up for the students including games and a short movie on Dr Kalam to rekindle the spirit of free thinking amongst the kids. An eye check-up camp was also organized in association with Bansara Eye Care Centre to bring in health awareness among the students. 

As the event drew to a close with the release of 85 balloons into the blue and white sky along with quotes by the great teacher, the IIM Shillong family once again renewed its endearing relationship with our beloved Kalam Sir and reveled in all that Dr Kalam has contributed towards the growth of youth and IIM Shillong in particular. 

Source: Indiaeducationdiary