Kalam dreams 100 pc literacy in Tamil Nadu

Coimbatore (PTI): Former President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam has said that the literacy rate in Tamil Nadu should rise to 100 per cent in at least by 2020 from the present 73.5 per cent and every citizen would either have higher education qualification or internationally competitive state-of-the-art skills, by then.

Speaking at a function got up at local chapter of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, Kalam wanted the BPL category to be zero from the present 22.5 percent.

Kalam envisioned that every dwelling units should have three-phase electricity, 100 per cent sanitation facilities and 100 per cent safe drinking water for all.

 

On health, he said, besides making available quality healthcare to all at the doorsteps, Tamil Nadu should be free from leprosy, HIV/AIDS and TB.

Kalam's high dream included that the State should be free from child labour, free from street children and no crime against women and children.

Kalam wanted all Tamil Nadu rivers to be connected at 300 MSL and the flood and drought well managed and a water for inland navigation.