What is that dream?
Martin Luther King Jr. began to say, "Although we will face many obstacles now and in the future, I will say that I have a dream that is part of the American dream." And that is that this nation will wake up, and make this nation's true belief that every human being is born equal.
He spoke of his dream, that one day the slaves and their sons and the slave owners and their sons would be able to sit at the same table as brothers. Freedom and justice will be able to move freely in the same land.
His words seemed like a dream that day. But today it has become a reality. But that struggle is going on.
Or we can say, about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. When he thought of an independent Bangladesh, no one could have imagined it. But he knew that this country would one day be independent, and he was willing to give his life for it. He struggled all his life. He participated in the 1970 elections. He gained a majority in the two parts of Pakistan, East and West Pakistan. The whole of Bangladesh was inspired by the mantra of independence. He said, "This time the struggle is for our liberation, this time the struggle is for freedom." At that time the Americans began to say, well, Bangladesh wants to be independent, what will they do after becoming independent? They are very poor. They have no resources. That country will not be economically sustainable. They wrote the report in English, will not be viable. Why do they want to be independent?
But Bangladesh has not only become independent, it is now moving forward after enduring economic hardships. Doing well in many cases. The average life expectancy of the people of Bangladesh is better than that of the people of India. We are also fast emerging as a major economic power. The fears of American scholars have been disproved. Behind this is the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
So I tell you, dream. Big dreams. Dream big about your own life. Dream big with the people around you. There is no need to be sure that these will have to be implemented. Because you are dreaming, not talking about reality.
But I don't have to bet as a child that I have to be a doctor. I have to be an engineer. I have to be a barrister. As a kid, I used to say, "I'll be a pilot when I grow up." I will be an astronaut. I will be a computer scientist. There is nothing wrong with that. But that should not be a bet.
This time we will tell the story of former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam again. APJ Abdul Kalam wanted to be an Air Force pilot. For that he went to Dehradun and took the admission test. Eight will be taken. APJ Abdul Kalam is ninth in the examination. Very upset he is sitting by a river. At this time a saint came to him. Said, baby, why are you sitting alone by the river? Why are you upset
APJ Abdul Kalam said, my life has no meaning. I wanted to be a pilot. But I failed the admission test. What do I do with this life now?
The saint said, "You have failed the test." It has a meaning. That is, destiny did not make you an Air Force pilot. You must be destined for something else. You get up Go. Find out what destiny has made you to be. Go. Get up. Search.
APJ Abdul Kalam got up. He studied physics at the University of Madras. Is one of the most famous astronomers in India. He also became the President of India (2002-2006).
So I have to be a pilot, I have to be a doctor — such stubbornness doesn't make sense. But dream big. There is no harm in that.
Thanks you everyone
