Dynamics of Unity of
Nations
"Confluence
of civilizations
is definitely possible”
Following is the text of the President,
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s address to the European Parliament at Strasbourg today
:
“I am delighted to be with the Honourable Members of European Parliament
on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee year of the European Union. When I am with
you friends, I was thinking, what thoughts I can share with you. India as a democratic
nation has the experience of providing leadership to over one billion people with
multi-language, multi-culture and multi-religious systems. I wish to share this
experience with you.
European Union for peace and prosperity
European civilization has a unique place
in human history. Its people were valiantly engaged in the adventure of exploring
the planet earth resulting in the discovery of many ideas and systems. Europe
has seen the birth of pioneers in science leading to technologies. Europe was
the theatre of conflicts for hundreds of years among and between the nations including
the two world wars. Now with this backdrop and dynamics, you have established
European Union with a vision for peace and prosperity for the entire region. European
Union has become an example for connectivity among nations, probably with no possibility
of war, leading to lasting regional peace.
Inter-connectedness
Before I started out on my journey to
Europe, I was thinking, why are Europe and India unique and natural partners?
Do we share a common history and heritage, possibly in future, a common destiny?
What I found was astonishing: the depth and vitality of our inter-connectedness,
by language, by culture, by ancient beliefs, ideologies and the movement of people
have stood the test of time. This has matured into a very strong bondage through
a sustained trade and intellectually satisfying collaboration in many areas of
science and technology.
Unity in Diversity
India is a country which has over the
years learnt to evolve and maintain a unique unity amongst diversity. Similarly,
the greatest contribution of European Union is that, you have demonstrated to
the world, that it is possible to build a strong union of nations without compromising
national identities. It has become an inspirational model and an example to emulate
for every region in the world. The European Union and India support a social form
of economic development and encourage a model of growth with equity. Both are
conscious of the need for growth to respect the environment and make it sustainable
for future generations. With this valuable experience of centuries behind India
and European Union, we can bring together a doctrine of global cooperation built
over the foundation of regional collaborations and core competencies of nations.
With
this background, I have brought from India, a message, a message to start three
important Indo-European missions which can contribute to global peace and prosperity.
These missions, I am putting forth based on India's experience and the dynamics
of European Union.
1.
Evolution of enlightened society - for evolving a citizen with value system
and leading to prosperous and peaceful world.
2. Leading to Energy Independence
- A three dimensional approach for energy choice towards realizing clean planet
earth.
3. World
Knowledge Platform - for synergizing the core competence
of European Union and India in certain areas for providing solutions to critical
issues like water, healthcare and capacity building.
Towards a cohesive society
When nations join together to build
a cohesive society, it is necessary to ensure that benefits of development encompass
all sections of the society. World over, poverty, illiteracy, un-employment and
deprivation are driving forward the forces of anger and violence. These forces
link themselves to some earlier real or perceived historical enmities, tyrannies
injustice, inequities, ethnic issues and religious fundamentalism flowing into
an outburst of extremism worldwide. Both India and European Union have witnessed
and are witnessing the unsavory acts of certain misguided sections of society.
We have to jointly address ourselves to the root causes of such phenomena for
finding lasting solutions for promoting peace.
Righteousness is the beginning
What we need is a
carrier of eternal goodness and wholesomeness in human conduct, which is ‘Righteousness’.
As we say in India:
Righteousness
Where there is righteousness in the heart
There is beauty in the
character.
When there is beauty in the character,
There is harmony
in the home.
When there is harmony in the home.
There is an
order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There
is peace in the world.
This is true, for the whole world. When
we need peace in the world, we need order in the nation; we need harmony in the
home, whether in Europe or in India or in any part of the world, the origin is
righteousness in the heart. How do we evolve righteousness, in the hearts of every
citizen of the world?
I. Evolution of Enlightened Society
With this spirit of righteousness in
the heart, dear Honorable Members, I would like to put forth to this important
gathering, a methodology for evolving a happy, prosperous and peaceful society
in our planet, which I call as "Evolution of Enlightened society". I
have shared these thoughts with many intellectuals in national and international
spheres. How do we create such an enlightened society, which will have three components
(a) Education with value system (b) Religion transforming into spirituality and
(c) Economic development for societal transformation. Let us discuss.
a. Education with value system:
We have seen that the seeds of peace
in the world have their origin in the righteousness in the heart of every individual.
Such righteous citizens lead to the evolution of enlightened society. Education
with value system has to be so designed that the righteousness in the heart is
developed in young minds. That should be the mission of education. The prime learning
environment is five to seventeen years of age. This reminds me of an ancient Greek
teacher's saying, "Give me a child for seven years; afterwards, let God or
devil take the child. They cannot change the child". This indicates the power
of great teachers and what they can inculcate in the young minds. Parents and
teachers must inculcate moral leadership amongst children. It requires the ability
to have insights into the uniqueness and universality of human consciousness.
True education is the acquisition of enlightened feelings and enlightened powers
to understand daily events and to understand the permanent truth linking man,
to his environment, human and planetary.
While I was in college, I remember the
lectures given by the highest authority of a Jesuit institution Rev Father Rector
Kalathil of St. Joshep's college, Tiruchirappalli, Southern India. Every week
on Monday, he will take a class for an hour. He used to talk about good human
beings present and past and what makes a good human being. In this class he used
to give lectures on personalities such as Buddha, Confucius, St. Augustine, Califa
Omar, Mahatma Gandhi, Einstein, Abraham Lincoln and moral stories linked to our
civilizational heritage. In the moral science class, Father Kalathil used to highlight
the best aspect of, how the great personalities have been evolved as good human
beings through parental care, teaching and companionship of great books. Even
though these lessons were given to me in 1950's during my college days, they inspire
me even today. It is essential that in the schools and colleges, lectures are
given by great teachers of the institution once in a week for one hour on civilizational
heritage and derived value system. This may be called as Moral Science Class that
will elevate the young minds to love the country, to love the other human beings
and elevate them to higher planes. I have suggested this methodology to educationists
in my country. European Union may like to consider evolving a system that would
enable a student to imbibe these fundamental traits for the benefit of all.
Now, let me take up the area that is
transforming religion into spiritual force. Many in the world believe, it is a
difficult mission. I would like to share an experience that I have witnessed which
has convinced me that it is possible.
b. Religion Transforming into Spirituality: Universal
Mind
Religion has two components, theology
and spirituality. Even though theology is unique to every religion, the spiritual
component spreads the value to be inculcated by human beings for promoting a good
human life and welfare of the society, while pursuing the material life. I would
like to share an experience how the religion and science came together in a big
mission.
It was during early 1960's, the founder
of Indian Space Research Programme Prof. Vikram Sarabhai with his team, had located
a place technically most suited for space research after considering many alternatives.
The place called Thumba in Kerala, was selected for space research as it was near
the magnetic equator, ideally suited for ionospheric and electrojet research in
upper atmosphere. I was fortunate to work with Prof Vikram Sarabhai for about
eight years.
The major challenge for Prof Vikram
Sarabhai was to get the place in a specific area. As was normal, Prof. Vikram
Sarabhai approached the Kerala Government administrators first. After seeing the
profile of the land and the sea coast, the view expressed was that, thousands
of fishing folks lived there, the place had an ancient St Mary Magdalene Church,
Bishop's House and a school. Hence it would be very difficult to give this land
and they were willing to provide land in an alternative area. Similarly the political
system also opined that it would be a difficult situation due to the existence
of important institutions and the concern for people who were to be relocated.
However there was a suggestion to approach the only person who could advise and
help. That was the Bishop "Rev Father Peter Bernard Pereira". Prof Vikram
Sarabhai, approached the Bishop on a Saturday evening, I still remember. The meeting
between the two turned out to be historical. Many of us witnessed the event. Rev
Father exclaimed, "Oh Vikram, you are asking my children's abode, my abode
and God's abode. How is it possible?" Both had a unique quality that they
could smile even in difficult situations. Rev Father Peter Bernard Pereira asked
Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to come to church on Sunday morning at 9.00 AM. Prof. Vikram
Sarabhai went to the church again on Sunday with his team. At that time the prayer
was progressing with the recitation of Bible by Father Pereira. After the prayer
was over, the Bishop invited Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to come to the dais. The Rev
Father introduced Prof Vikram Sarabhai to the mass, "Dear children, here
is a scientist, Prof. Vikram Sarabhai. What do sciences do" All of us experience,
including this church, the light from electricity. I am able to talk to you through
the mike which is made possible by technology. The treatment to patients by doctors
comes from medical sciences. Science through technology enhances the comfort and
quality of human life. What do, I do, as a preacher? I pray for you, for your
well being, for your peace. In short, what Vikram is doing and what I am doing,
are the same - both science and spirituality seek the Almighty's blessings for
human prosperity in body and mind. Dear Children, Prof Vikram says, he would build
within a year, near the sea-coast, alternative facilities to what we are having.
Now dear children, can we give our abode, can we give my abode, can we give the
God's abode for a great scientific mission?" There was a total silence, a
pin drop silence. Then all of them got up and said 'Amen' which made the whole
church reverberate.
That was the church where we had our
design centre, where we started rocket assembly and the Bishop's house was our
scientists' working place. Later the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station
(TERLS) led to the establishment of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the
space activities transformed into multiple space centers throughout the country.
Now this church has become an important centre of learning, where thousands of
people learn about the dynamic history of the space programme of India and the
great minds of a scientist and spiritual leader. Of course, the Thumba citizens
got the well equipped facilities, worshiping place and educational centre in an
alternate place at the right time.
When I think of this event, I can see
how enlightened spiritual and scientific leaders can converge towards giving reverence
to the human life. Of course the birth of TERLS and then VSSC gave the country
the capability for launch vehicles, spacecraft and space applications that have
accelerated social and economic development in India to unprecedented levels.
Today, among us, Prof Vikram Sarabhai
is not there, Rev Peter Bernard Pereira is not there, but those who are responsible
for creation and making flowers blossom will themselves be a different kind of
flower as described in the Bhagwat Gita: "See the flower, how generously
it distributes perfume and honey. It gives to all, gives freely of its love. When
its work is done, it falls away quietly. Try to be like the flower, unassuming
despite all its qualities". What a beautiful message, to the humanity on
the purpose of life reflected the spiritual component. Can we bridge the spiritual
component of the religions to bring peace to nations and to the world?
I would like to recall one incident which commonly occurs in many parts
of my country. I have witnessed this event when I was a young boy (10 yrs). In
our house, periodically I used to see three different unique personalities meet.
Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal, who was the head priest of the famous Rameshwaram
temple and a vedic scholar, Rev Father Bodal, who built the first church in Rameshwaram
Island and my father who was an Imam in the mosque. All three of them used to
sit and discuss the islands problems and find solutions. In addition they built
several religious connectivities with compassion. These connectivities quietly
spread to others in the island like the fragrance from the flowers. This sight
always comes to my mind whenever, I discuss with people on Dialogue of religions.
India has had this advantage of integration of minds for thousands of years. Throughout
the world, the need to have a frank dialogue among cultures, religions and civilizations
has been felt now more than ever.
These two instances, what I have narrated give me confidence that religions
definitely can be bridged through spiritual components. Whenever I meet the young
and experienced in my country. I have narrated these two experiences. Many in
my country and world over may have such experiences. We have to spread such "Glad
Tidings" to every part of the world.
Now let us discuss the third important component of enlightened society
which is to achieve economic development for societal transformation. Let me take
my country India as an example, it may be true to many parts of the world.
c. Economic development for societal transformation.
Indian Economy is in an ascent phase.
There is considerable growth in the manufacturing and service sectors. We have
a mission of spreading this economic growth throughout the country including the
rural sector. Nearly 220 million people have to be lifted by upgrading their quality
of life in both rural and urban areas. Even though the GDP growth indicates our
economic growth, people's participation is essential for achieving the required
targets. It is essential to ensure that the citizens are empowered with good quality
of life encompassing nutritious food, good habitat, clean environment, affordable
healthcare, quality education and productive employment, integrated with our value
system drawn from civilizational heritage leading to the comprehensive development
of the nation that will bring smiles in one billion people. These are indicators
for the growth of the National Prosperity Index. To achieve that growth rate,
we have identified five areas where India has a core competence for integrated
action: (1) Agriculture and food processing (2) Education and Healthcare (3) Information
and Communication Technology (4) Infrastructure development such as power, transportation,
communication and including Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) and
(5) Self reliance in critical technologies. We propose to realize the vision of
transforming India into a developed nation before 2020 by energizing and igniting
the minds of all the 540 million youth of the nation.
So far we have discussed the three dimensional
approach of providing value based education, religion transforming into spiritual
force and economic development for societal transformation leading to the evolution
of an enlightened society. This integrated three dimensional methodology of evolution
of enlightened society, will pave the way for peaceful, prosperous, happy nations
and thereby a world, free from extremisms and further seeds of extremism. In my
website www.presidentofindia.nic.in, I have given how an empowered world body
is essential to evolve the nations of enlightened citizens. I will be very happy
to exchange thoughts and ideas and action related to this mission with the Honorable
members of European Parliament.
Let me now discuss the second mission
"Leading to Energy Independence".
II. Leading to Energy Independence
When we analyze the critical problems
facing the planet earth today, two important issues come to our minds. First one
is the continuous depletion of fossil-material-derived, oil, gas and coal reserves
as predicted by World Energy Forum. The second one is the continuous degradation
of environment primarily due to extensive use of fossil materials for generating
energy. The solution to these problems can be found through energy independence,
which I have presented to my country. It may be applicable to many nations.
Energy Independence in India - A Perspective: India has
17% of the world's population, but only about 0.8% of the world's known oil and
natural gas resources. Based on the progress visualized for the nation during
the next two decades, the power generating capacity has to increase to 400,000
MW by the year 2030 from the current 130,000 MW in India. This takes into consideration
of energy economies planned and the design and production of energy efficient
equipments and systems. Energy independence has got to be achieved through three
different sources namely renewable energy (solar, wind and hydro power), electrical
power from nuclear energy and bio-fuel for the transportation sector. Energy independence
throws very important technological challenges to the world: The solar cell efficiency
has to increase from the present 20% to 55% through intensified research on CNT
(Carbon Nano Tube) based solar cells. For thorium reactors, as it is known, thorium
is a non-fissile material. It has to be converted into a fissile material using
Fast Breeder Technology. In the Bio-fuel area, the challenge is bio-fuel plantation
for higher yield, esterification technologies for the higher output and the modification
to automobile power plants. These three research areas definitely need intensive
cooperation between Europian Union and India. I would suggest setting up of an
"Indo-EU Renewable Energy Development programme" for taking up advanced
R&D in all forms of renewable energy leading to the availability of commercial
class large scale power plants within the next decade.
Let us now discuss the third mission,
called "World Knowledge Platform".
III. World Knowledge Platform
With the Indian experiences of two successful
international cooperative ventures from concept to realization and marketing,
I would suggest evolution of "World Knowledge Platform" for bringing
together the core competence of multiple nations of EU and India in science and
technology leading to the development of unique systems for Global applications.
‘World Knowledge platform’ will enable
joint design, development, cost effective production and marketing of the knowledge
products, systems and services in various domains based on the core competence
of partner nations to international market. World knowledge platform is a meeting
place for science, technology, industry, management and marketing.
Missions of World Knowledge Platform: The convergence
of Bio, Nano and IT is expected to touch every area of concern to the humanity.
The "World Knowledge Platform" will take up the missions, in some of
the areas discussed further, which are of utmost urgency to all of us to make
our world a safe, sustainable, peaceful and prosperous place to live:
1. Water: Desalination
of sea water using solar energy, channelization, networking of rivers, cost effective
safe drinking water.
2. Healthcare: Diagnosis,
drug delivery system, development and production of vaccines for HIV/TB, malaria
and cardiac diseases, detection and cure of diabetics.
3. Agriculture
and Food processing: Increased production of food grain in an environment
of reduced land, reduced water and reduced manpower; preservation of food; food
processing; cost effective storage and distribution.
4. Knowledge
products: Hardware, Software and Networking and Storage Products including
handheld micro and nano electronic devices.
5. Transportation
systems: Fossil fuel free transportation systems using renewable energies
safety systems, hardware and embedded software integration.
6. Habitat: Energy efficient,
water efficient, pollution free habitat.
7. Disaster Prediction
and Management: Earth quake forecasting, assessing in advance the quantum
of rain for particular cloud condition.
8. Capacity Building: Quality human resource development for all the above areas
including the development of personnel with world class skills.
European Union represents a wealth of
scientific potential with rich culture for research. India has emerged as a leading
country with its demonstrated scientific and technological potential in many societal
missions and is now in the growth path. Combined strengths of the nations can
be utilized for the mutual advantage of both India and EU by joining together
as partners in creating the world knowledge platform.
Conclusion
Honorable Members of European Parliament,
as we have seen, there is a visible common thread of our dreams and problems.
When I am with you, I have a feeling; that there are beautiful solutions from
beautiful minds. Beautiful minds generate creativity. This is the common heritage
of both India and Europe. Dear Honourable Members of European Union, I have presented
three missions: (a) Evolution of enlightened society, (b) Leading to Energy Independence
(c) Creating World Knowledge Platform. These Indo-EU missions will definitely
reinforce further our strategic partnership and become the foundation for making
the change in the life of 1.5 billion people, ultimately leading to confluence
of civilizations.
For meeting the challenges of these
missions, we can draw the inspiration from the saying of Maharishi Patanjali,
about 2,500 years ago ‘When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary
project, all your thoughts break their bounds. Your mind transcends limitations,
your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new,
great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents come alive, and
you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamt yourself
to be.’
I would like to share with you a poem
- "A Message from Mother Earth"
A Message
from Mother Earth
1.
Beautiful Environment leads
To beautiful minds
Beautiful minds generate,
Freshness and creativity
2. Created explorers of land and sea
Created minds that innovate
Created great scientific minds
Created everywhere,
why?
3. Gave birth to many discoveries
Discovered a continent
and unknown lands
Ventured into unexplored paths
Created new highways
4. In the minds of the best
Worst was also born
Generated seeds
of battle and hatred
Hundreds of years of wars and blood;
5.
Millions of my wonderful children
Lost in the land and sea
Tears flooded
many nations
Many engulfed in ocean of sadness
6. Then, then
came, the vision of European Union,
Took the oath,
"Never to turn
human knowledge,
Against ourselves or others".
7. United
in their thinking,
Actions emanated,
To make Europe prosperous and peaceful,
Born, the European Union.
8. That "Glad Tidings",
captivated,
The people of the planet of my galaxy.
OH! European Union,
let your missions,
Spread everywhere, like the air we breathe.
APJ ABDUL KALAM
24 APR 2007
Dear friends, Let me convey my greetings
of one billion people of my country to all the Hon'ble Members of European Union
and through you to all the citizens of European Union countries.
May God bless you.”
* * *
YSR/SH/CS
(Release ID :27125)