CHENNAI: He and his team used rocket science for designing an artificial limb weighing just 400 grams. And he cherishes it more than launching rockets. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam said it was "bliss" to see children smile after wearing the light-weight prosthesis on their legs designed by him and his team.

"When we launched the first indigenous rocket SPV 3, when we successfully sent Agni and tested nuclear weapons in Pokran, I was really very happy. But today when I see children run around and cycle with the artificial limbs we designed, it is sheer bliss," Kalam said delivering the 12th convocation address of the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University . "I had seen these children struggling with the artificial limbs that weighed at least 4 kg. My team made one with composite heat materials used for rockets. This one is 10 times lighter," he said.

On Saturday too, he was at his usual best — in igniting minds. Kalam narrated stories of three eminent doctors — Maharashtra-based Dr Sudhakar Kore who quit his job abroad to start a hospital for the people in Warana valley, Madurai-based Dr Venkatasamy who grew up in a rustic setting but went on to establish the world-class Aravind Eye hospital to wipe out reversible blindness and of Dr H Sudarshan who devoted himself to the health care of the tribals in in Karnataka.

He then asked the 10,955 candidates who received degrees and diplomas in medical, dental, Indian medicine and allied health sciences to complete one task before the hit the bed on Saturday: Write in a paper or key into their computers the answer to his question "What I will be remembered for?" and preserve it for posterity. "I want you to have a vision. This dream will not allow you to sleep," he said.

Degrees were conferred upon 3,307 students in person and 7648 students in absentia.