Former President A P J Abdul Kalam has warned that a people’s revolution would break out soon if timely justice is denied to the public.
“People are getting restless. If the cancer of corruption and frustration generated by denial of timely justice at an affordable cost is not dealt with soon, a revolution will start giving birth to empowered human beings. Therefore, the right approach is to strengthen democracy. In a vibrant democracy, empowered human being is indeed the prime mover. The road map for graduating our people into an empowered and enlightened citizenry includes education with value system ,” Abdul Kalam said.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the M K Sanu Endowment Lecture Series at St Teresa’s College in Kochi on Tuesday.
In order to encourage students to take up pure sciences, a national science cadre is being mooted.
“Once a national science cadre comes up in the country, even parents will develop an interest in encouraging their wards to take an interest in such courses,” he said. He added that a teacher’s role is paramount in developing a students’ quest for knowledge. “In the present situation in the world where every citizen wants to live in a prosperous and peaceful atmosphere, the empowerment of youth with enlightenment becomes vital. It is the teacher who makes the student an autonomous learner. Also, the best of creativity among the students will emerge by integrated influence of principals, teachers and parents,” he said. He lauded the efforts of teacher and critic M K Sanu who through his lectures had motivated a few generations of youth and cultivated sensibilities in them. He especially referred to Defence Minister A K Antony, a former student of Sanu.
He also attributed the lessons he had received from his teachers which inspired him and ‘put me ahead of time’. Students should be shaped as nation builders and schools should become laboratories for such a type of mission. For this, teachers should give practical lessons in human values, particularly the trait of selfless giving of knowledge.
“In the present situation in the world where every citizen wants to live in a prosperous and peaceful atmosphere, the empowerment of youth with enlightenment becomes vital. This has three dimensions -- education with value system, bridging religions through spirituality and inclusive development,” he said. He answered questions posed by the students as well as faculty during the programme.
Ratnamma Sanu (wife of M K Sanu), journalist and M K Sanu Foundation programme coordinator K M Roy, M K Sanu Foundation programme chairman Thomas Mathew, St Teresa’s College principal Sr Teresa were also present.
