Trilingual initiative, boon to SL’s youths - Dr. A. P. J. Abdul
Kalam
Text of the address at the launch of
National Action Plan and declaring 2012 as the year for a Trilingual Sri
Lanka on January 21, 2012
I am delighted to participate in the historic event of the launch of
National Action Plan and declaring 2012 as the ‘Year for a Trilingual
Sri Lanka’. My greetings to all of you. Friends, at this juncture, I
would like to recall an experience during the British India when I was a
school student. At that time, up to the age of 15, I was taught all the
subjects including mathematics, science, geography, history in my mother
tongue. My experience is that when we learn subjects in our own mother
tongue, we learn faster and could grasp the inherent meaning of the
subject and we start thinking naturally.
This is what the trilingual initiative can bring to the youth of Sri
Lanka and enable them towards cultural and socio-economic unity. It
would be a continuation of the efforts in quality education for all
which was pioneered by the first education minister and the father of
Sri Lanka's free education system, C W W Kannangara whose efforts are
reflected in very high literacy rate in Sri Lanka. So, young children of
Sri Lanka, may I greet you today on this historical occasion. Today I
would like to talk on the topic ‘Evolution of a Noble Nations’ which I
think is crucial to development of humanity.
Origins of life
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Picture by Nalin Hevapathirana |
Ancient human history has been revealed beautifully by
Paleoanthropology. Life originated 600 million years ago and continental
drift occurred 200 million years ago creating five continents. Mammals
evolved 140 million years ago, Hominids that is the human type, evolved
26 million years ago but modern man only arrived on the scene some
200,000 years ago. He migrated and inhabited the world only in the last
50,000 years. The spoken language is some 10,000 years old while writing
evolved only a few thousand years ago. In this situation we have to see
how to evolve a language system in a diversified society for the common
welfare of all citizens. I am sure that the Trilingual Sri Lanka
initiative will enable across – the – language – learning, enrich the
education and further civilization heritage of the nation.
The evolution of human being has been greatly accelerated by the
application of science and technology in several fields. With expansion
of ideas, geo-political situation changed and many new independent
nations were born in the Second World War era. Most of the nations had
great civilizational heritage. They have had a glorious past but
suffered under colonial rule for many centuries. After the colonization
has gone the independent nations formed governments of their own often
propelled by democratic aspirations. The process continues and 21st
century is going to see a fully evolved world. We are all destined to
realize, happiness, dignity of life, freedom and creativity, but it can
be realized only through nations becoming noble.
How do we define nobility of nation?
It is not merely in terms of economic indicators, human development
indicators, or any other form of numerical indicators. It is more of a
quality than a quantitative measure. I was reflecting on the feature of
a noble nation, the essence of a noble society. Naturally, a noble
nation have to be populated by people who are noble - not just at
individual level, but in a collective sense as well. And nobility has to
begin from the top - from the leader and percolate to various levels of
society to the artisans and peasants.
Do we have a good example? Is there an ideal description of such a
nobility?
Mahatma Gandhi - a noble leader
A scene comes to my mind from the life of Mahatma Gandhi Ji. You may
be aware of the events towards the final years of struggle for Indian
Independence. A great nation with a civilizational history and heritage
of many millennia had been partitioned politically. You know also the
terrible bloodletting, disturbance, migration issues, almost akin to a
civil war which tore the nation. Then came the independence.
When our first Prime Minister addressed the nation on August 15, 1947
early morning, he chose hope of a future in a multi-cultural democratic
context and articulation on the issues of a developing country. The
unchartered path ahead had vast opportunities but also grave challenges.
Everybody in the political system, and many other citizens had assembled
there.
In those days, there was no real time TV broadcast. Maximum outreach
was through the radio. I heard the historic speech of Freedom at
Midnight, on the All India Radio at Rameswaram where many of us had
crowded around a community radio. Next day, newspaper carried various
photographs. One person uniquely was missing from the photos and the
addresses. That was Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation. He was
away in strife torn Bengal amongst trodden aggrieved people and was
giving love and care to those brutalized by human frenzy of hatred and
intolerance. He was trying to find the solution for curing of the menace
which was poisoning the society and people.
Mahatma Gandhi created benchmark of noble nation, a noble society and
a noble leader by this simple example of practical action. That scene is
playing again – again in my mind. All the leaders of nations; be it in
government, political opposition, business, media, education, and people
from civil society should scene of a serving leader capture this in
their minds and actions, again and again. Then ask these questions to
themselves.
* Am I a noble individual?
* Is my society noble?
* Is my nation noble?
* If not what should I do?
* How do I change the current situation and go towards nobility?
If we all ask these questions, sincerely and answer them truthfully,
we will find solutions leading to concrete action.
* Many noble nations will then emerge.
* Humanity will prosper. Civilization will advance.
* Everyday issues of a noble nation
Having addressed this subtle principle and ideal, let us focus some
practical aspects of life which provide ground for nobility to arise in
society and people. These are the removal of poverty, hunger and pain
from diseases. This will need a development agenda based on the core
competence of the nation and its entire different people.
When different societies come together to build a cohesive social
system and a nation, it is necessary to ensure that benefits of
development encompass all sections of the society which comprise the
nation. World over, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and deprivation
are precipitating into the forces of strife, anger and violence. These
forces link themselves to some earlier real or perceived historical
enmities, tyrannies, injustice, inequities, ethnic issues and religious
fundamentalisms flowing into an outburst of extremism worldwide. Both
India and Sri Lanka have witnessed and are witnessing such various acts.
We have to address ourselves to the root causes of such phenomena for
finding lasting solutions for promoting peace.
We also need to minimize damages from natural disaster and risks from
manmade industry and activities. These give basic human security to
enable people not to hate others and not be jealous of others. For this
transformation to take place, we have to replace the urge of ‘What can I
take?’ with the spirit of ‘What can I give?’
PURA and Sri Lankan PURA plan
The Buddha had said the ‘Nibbana (nirvana) cannot be had on empty
stomach.’ How can we translate this message into action?
Hence, another need of a noble nation in the creation of an
environment of inclusive development where every citizen gets an
opportunity to build capacity and generate income based on their
competencies. For this to be realized, the need of the hour is the
evolution of sustainable systems which act as ‘enablers’ and bring
inclusive growth and integrated development to the nation.
Let me present one such sustainable development system is the mission
of Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) through creation
of three connectivities namely physical, electronic, knowledge leading
to economic connectivity for 15,000 villages of Sri Lanka.
PURA
* The villages must be connected within themselves and with main
towns and metros by good roads, waterways and wherever needed by the
railway lines. They must have other infrastructure like schools,
colleges, hospitals and amenities for the local population and the
visitors. This is physical connectivity.
* In the emerging knowledge era, the native knowledge has to be
preserved and enhanced with latest tools of technology, training and
research. The villages have to have access to good education from best
teaches wherever they are, must have the benefit of good medical
treatment, and must have latest information on their pursuits like
agriculture, fishery, horticulture and food processing. That means they
have to have electronic connectivity.
* Once the Physical and Electronic connectivity are enabled, the
knowledge connectivity is enabled. That can facilitate the ability,
increase the productivity, the utilization of spare time, awareness of
health welfare, ensuring a market for products, increasing quality
conscience, interacting with partners, getting the best equipment,
increasing transparency and so in general knowledge connectivity.
* Once the three connectivities viz physical, electronic and
knowledge connectivity are ensured, they facilitate earning capacity
leading to economic connectivity. When we Provide Urban Amenities to
Rural Areas (PURA), we can lead uplift of rural areas, we can attract
investors, we can introduce effectively useful systems like Rural BPOs,
Micro Finance and small-scale industries.
There are operational PURAs already in India initiated by many
educational, healthcare institutions, industry and other institutions.
Government of India is moving ahead with the implementation of PURA on
the national scale across several districts of India.
PURA structure for Sri Lanka
With 16 million rural citizens, represent about 79 percent of the
population, Sri Lanka has a potential of deploying about 160 PURA
complexes based on the core competencies of the cluster of villages.
These may focus on the following aspects:
? Coastal PURA: Focusing on marine industry including on sea fishing,
processing packaging and sales. Sri Lanka's vast coastlands can be
organized into about 50 Coastal PURA Complexes, primarily focusing on
fishing and also service industry of sea tourism. Another industry which
can be promoted in these PURAs can be based on gems and precious stones.
* Plain PURA: Based on the inlands of Sri Lanka, we can realize about
60 Plain PURA complexes, focusing on agro-products and processing like
rice and coconut, forest products, natural and medicinal tourism and IT/ITES
Industry to generate employment for the rural youth.
* Hill PURA: With large areas of the central Sri Lanka being located
on highlands, there is also a potential for creating about 50 Hill PURA
complexes. Suitable rainfall and weather conditions make them ideally
suited for creating industry based on tea. To consolidate the industry
in these regions, the Hill PURAs of Sri Lanka can exclusively promote
Tea Cooperatives of Farmers who can manage end-to-end production of tea
to better realize the value of their farms products. The Sri Lankan tea
has high value on the export market, and thereby is potential for high
income growth to the local community.
Of course, there are many more detailed aspects which would go within
each of the specific PURAs. The execution of such a PURA mission can be
done in an entrepreneurial way, with Public-Private-Community
Partnership model with active involvement from all the diverse societies
of the nation. I, along with my team of experts, would be happy to
participate in the planning of pilot PURA complexes in Sri Lanka to
empower the 16 million rural citizens of the nation.
Unity in diversity
Another important area is the removal of greed and undue competition
by spreading love for all, even to those whom you think are different
from you, or those who don't agree with your view or even those with
whom you share an unfavourble disposition. Human love and mutual trust
can overcome all such barriers of the past. We have an example of how
European nations, who were constantly warring against each other for
centuries could come together in a European Union and help each in times
of economic crisis and create a win-win situation for a society which is
otherwise diverse on counts of religion, language and ethnic
backgrounds.
Birth of Ahimsa Dharma
I recall the connectivity with the Kalinga war scene around 2,300
years back where Emperor Ashoka, while celebrating the victory in the
Kalinga war, at the cost of the death of more than 100,000 people and
equal number injured. In his victory, the emperor saw the blood bath in
the moonlit night. Here we see the birth of Ahimsa Dharma, out of this
tragic scene created by the Emperor himself and grow into a laudable
philosophy that spread across the world. This philosophy of Ahimsa
Dharma, is the founding principal of Mahatma Gandhi who won India's
freedom and became example of many nations seeking for independence. The
greatest ideal expressed by Buddha, propagated by Ashoka and followed by
Mahatma Gandhi; what is that?
Tolerance is the foundation of sustainable development and peaceful
society. It will be appropriate to have an introspection by all of us
about the social awakening needed for the national development. Every
civilized society exists not only for day-to-day sustenance, but lives
with a clear perception for the future and the generations to come. Such
a situation would pre-suppose that each individual in such a society
would cherish and translate into practice noble ideals of constructive
tolerance, positive fellow-feeling and a total commitment to live and
let live.
None can have express this better, Albert Einstein who said: "Laws
alone can't secure freedom of expression, in order that every man
presents his views without penalty, there must be spirit of tolerance in
the entire population."
We have to evolve a society that will respect differences and
celebrate differences. What are the various issues on tolerance?
Tolerance for people's opinion
Tolerance for people's culture
Tolerance for people's belief system, and
Tolerance for people's styles
In fact, such an attitude, be it that of an individual or a
collection of them i.e. Society, is the hallmark of a civilized nation.
That is what characterizes and differentiates life from sheer existence.
Honesty and integrity - both in thought and action, independence and
inter-dependence -in their wholesome and positive manifestations, would
distinguish a civilized nation in its true sense. It is for each
citizen, regardless of his or her background, to strive to inculcate
these eternal values in him or her, and that alone would be the surest
path and unfailing guarantee for a civilized society and its future.
The great reconciliation in human history
Indomitable spirit and forgiveness: I met a great personality who was
responsible for the freedom of South Africa. He is none other than Dr.
Nelson Mandela. Particularly the young people can learn two big lessons
from this personality. These are indomitable spirit and virtue of
forgiveness.
During my visit to South Africa in 2004, I went to the Robben Island.
This is the place where the freedom of individuals was chained. We were
received at the Island by Ahmed Kathrada, a South African, who was a
co-prisoner with Dr. Nelson Mandela on the island. What surprised me
was, in a tiny room where sleeping and all human needs have to be
fulfilled. It has to be remembered that Dr.Nelson Mandela, who was 6
feet tall was imprisoned in that room for 26 years - fighting against
the apartheid. The major part of his life was spent in this silent
Island. He used to be taken for quarrying in the nearby mountain for a
few hours in the hot sun. This is the time his sight got damaged. In
spite of his body being tortured, he revealed to the world his
indomitable spirit. That was the time he evolved a manuscript of freedom
in tiny letters every day, when the jail wardens went to sleep. This
small tiny lettered manuscript finally became the famous book of Mandela
"A long walk to freedom".
It was a great event for me to meet him in his house in Johannesburg.
Dear friends, I would like to share with you, when I entered Dr. Nelson
Mandela's house, I saw his three dimensional form with cheerfulness: the
mighty man who got the freedom for South Africa from the tyranny of
apartheid. And also a person when he became the President of South
Africa he gave the people freedom to move, freedom to live in South
Africa to those people who perpetuated the apartheid and tormented him
in the jail for 26 years. Dr. Nelson Mandela accepted them as equal
citizens.
While I shook hands with Dr Mandela, I felt that I am touching the
hand of a mighty soul filled with tolerance and respect and love for all
humankind. When he started walking, he discarded his walking stick and
put his hand on my shoulder as his support. A big lesson that we learnt
from this personality Dr. Nelson Mandela, which is explained in one of
the Thirukkurals written 2200 years before which means, for those who do
ill to you, the best punishment is to return good to them.
The 21st century humankind will cherish the hallmark system of
empowered democracy with civilizational heritage based on tolerance
mutual love and trust. We will need a system where diversities are basis
for celebration and not conflict and where eternal goodness and
wholesomeness in human conduct is brought about by the 'Righteousness'.
As our sages say:
Righteousness in the heart
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.
For meeting the challenges of these missions, we can draw the
inspiration from the saying of Maharishi Patanjalil, 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." My best wishes to all the participants of this event for success in
their mission of evolving a noble nation.
May God Bless you. |