The Hindu Business Line : `Build on our strengths and gain from globalisation'

SHARING A VISION: The President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, addressing members of the State Legislature in Hyderabad on Wednesday. He is flanked by the Governor, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, and the Assembly Speaker, Mr Suresh Reddy. - A. Roy Chowdhury

THE following is the transcript of questions fielded by the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, during his interaction with legislators in Hyderabad on Wednesday:

Mr D. Sridhar Babu, of the ruling Congress (I) wanted to know how India could integrate with the world through economic reforms without neglecting the rural areas and poor. What does globalisation mean for us?

Dr Kalam: Globalisation is a big opportunity for India. Since there are a few developed countries and many developing ones. India being among the latter, the challenge to compete and produce to reach bigger markets will help. For this to happen, India has to build on its strengths, which lie in its agriculture, young people and development of rural areas.

Mr P. Keshav of TDP asked if its was wise for India to spend huge financial resources on defence and get into an arms and nuclear race at the cost of basic amenities such as drinking water and healthcare.

In the past 2500 years since Alexander invaded India, the country has been attacked by various countries and kings, though it never ventured outside its borders. With such a historical threat, "if somebody attack us today, we need to defend ourselves. For that we need strength and therein lies the answer to your question." Anyway, India has a `No first use' policy, the President added.

Mr Nomula Narasimhaiah (CPM) wanted the President to use his good offices to help the lot of the peasants in the State and sought his views on the crisis.

Expressing sadness at the suicides of farmers, the President suggested that the Government should ensure quality inputs like water, fertilisers and loans at the right time to help the farmers. An integrated approach to provide sustained support to agriculture would go a long way in tiding over the crisis.

Mr Akberuddin Owaisi (MIM) wanted to know the role for minorities in realising the Vision 2020 and 10 Missions for AP enunciated by the President?

Dr Kalam said development and economic issues did not distinguish between minorities and non-minorities. However, among the minorities, he felt women's education and vocational training centres were the need of the hour.

Mr G. Kishen Reddy of BJP asked how it was practical to achieve Ram Rajya with so much of corruption in public life. What is the remedy?

Corruption cannot be removed by any number of laws enacted by the Centre or the State, but can be eliminated by three people - Father, Mother and the Elementary School Teacher. Herein lies our responsibility to tackle the problem at the basic level.

Ms D.K. Aruna (SP) felt the Bill on one-third reservation for women in Parliament needed to be passed without further delay.

Women definitely deserve it. It is good of women that though they constitute 50 per cent of the population, they are demanding only 30 per cent reservation.

Mr Kommi Reddy Ramulu (JP) pointed out that people making sacrifices are rare and wanted to know whether the sacrifice of Ms Sonia Gandhi declining the PM's post deserved a Bharat Ratna.

People whom you are recommending for awards are those who normally do not aspire for such rewards. I am one of them.

Ms Neelavati (the youngest MLA) of Congress (I) asked when was the most joyful moment of his life.

On seeing the expressions on the faces of polio-affected kids in Hyderabad, who danced after wearing callipers developed by a team of defence scientists, including me.

The callipers weighed less than 500 gm compared to the 3-kg boots that existed then. They were fabricated from lightweight but tough carbon-carbon composites, which were used in the nose-tip of the Agni missile.

More Stories on : Economy | Andhra Pradesh

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page