Former President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said here on Tuesday that Parliament and the legislative Assemblies should discuss development politics at least 200 days a year.
Inaugurating the M.K. Sanoo endowment lecture series at St. Teresa’s College auditorium, Dr. Kalam said that elected members should debate how to eliminate corruption and remove poverty.
‘Check corruption’
“Strengthen democracy and take long-term action to check corruption,” he said.
Explaining that corruption-free India was a big challenge, Dr. Kalam urged the youngsters to make their homes corruption-free. “India needs people with integrity. Teachers should create beautiful minds by inducing creativity among the children. They should also impart learning in such a way as to bring out the best in them,” he said.
Recalling the rich contributions made by Prof. Sanoo, Dr. Kalam said that the noted critic and teacher had inspired generations of youths and cultivated new sensibilities in them.
He also praised Prof. Sanoo for his works particularly the biography of Sree Narayanaguru and Anchu Sastra Nayakanmar.
‘Green homes’
Answering a question on his green message, Dr. Kalam said that environmental protection initiatives should start from each home in the country.
“Make your home a green home. We need green streets and a green environment,” he said.
A higher secondary school teacher, who was part of the audience, wanted his advice on how to attract young talents to pursue pure science programmes. Dr. Kalam said that he had recommended to the Union government to start a science cadre from which the authorities could recruit 300 to 400 M.Sc and PhD holders in science for various jobs in leading research laboratories and science and technology institutions in the country.
Thomas Mathew, chairman of the M.K. Sanoo foundation, K.M. Roy, programme co-ordinator, and Sr. Teresa, Principal of St. Teresa’s College, spoke.
