By IANS
New Delhi : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Sunday said the automobile industry needs creative leaders who can visualise a change from the traditional role of one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect.
Addressing workers of India's largest automobile manufacturer Maruti Udyog at its plant in Gurgaon near here, he said: "For success in all missions we need creative leaders. Creative leadership means exercising the vision to change the traditional role from the commander to the coach, manager to mentor, from director to delegator and from one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect.
"For a growing automobile industry, thrust will be on the growth of number of creative leaders for all the innovative organisations," Kalam said.
Stressing on the importance of continuously improving the efficiency of internal combustion engines, he said scientists have to concentrate on development of alternate fuels and renewable energy sources.
The future generation cars and trucks have to use bio-diesel, ethanol and hydrogen. Bio-fuels are renewable and can be produced in short notice as against fossil fuels, which have been produced over millions of years, the president said.
Kalam said while India's automobile industry was growing at an impressive rate of 17 percent, there was a growing concern regarding the increase in number of accidents on Indian roads.
India loses around 50,000 lives and Rs.250 billion every year due to accidents, he said quoting a survey.