Describing corruption and moral turpitude as major challenges that threaten economic progress and the dream of India joining the league of developed nations by 2020, former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Wednesday said: “Such evils are fuelled by never ending greed.”
He expressed anguish while reflecting on the ‘What can I take?’ attitude that seems to have gripped the country. “We must replace it with a ‘What can I give?’ mission,” Mr. Kalam said, speaking at ‘Sahaay 2011’, a function organised by the Samudhaaya Foundation, an NGO run by Carnatic vocalist Sudha Ragunathan.
Mr. Kalam used the occasion to request artistes to devote at least 10 per cent of their time to spread the mission of music and inject humaneness into people. He highlighted performances given by Sudha Ragunathan in schools run by Chennai Corporation and old age homes as acts worthy of being emulated.
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“Through our individual efforts and contributions, we must strive to create a compassionate society,” he said.
Quoting from the Tirukkural, former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami termed philanthropic acts as “life’s ornaments” and referred to Mr. Kalam as a great humanist.
The Samudhaaya Foundation made donations, of Rs. 20 lakh each, to Prema Vasam, a home for children with mental and physical disability, and Sri Ramachandra Medical College. M. Murali of Sri Krishna Sweets was presented the Saadhana Award 2011.
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