As part of the GRIIT (Globalizing and Resurgent India through Innovation and Technology) course – an elective conducted in the second year of PGP, Dr. Kalam presented a lecture on environmental sustainability. Needless to say, since first year students were given the option of attending, I attended it. The lecture focussed mainly on climate change and sustainable development.

My first feeling was a sense of mild disappointment. Somewhere in a corner of my mind, I had expected nothing less than enlightenment on coming face to face with a personality whom I admired and respected in equal measure. The initial powerpoint slides with climate change statistics added to my feelings. But as the lecture progressed, I imbibed a sense of the vibrance that keeps this great person going. There was a spontaneity in Dr. Kalam’s replies to questions, which seemed a refreshing break from the measured and “correct” replies – which usually are neither here nor there – that many speakers tend to give. The lecture ended with an oath that the participants took, committing ourselves to do our bit for the environment by planting trees, recycling and so on.

Climate change is an issue with no easy solutions. Can policy makers and carbon traders grasp the significance of issues that are not so obvious inside air-conditioned boardrooms and cars?