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Vision of Developed Nepal by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Public Lecture by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at BP Koirala India – Nepal

Foundation (BPKF), Kathmandu

17/Nov/2008 : Kathmandu

Dynamics of Societal Transformation

Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA)

Results in Integrated development of the nation

I am happy to visit the beautiful country of Nepal. It is a great honour for me to give a

Public Lecture, organized by BP Koirala India – Nepal Foundation at Kathmandu. My

greetings to the organizers and the distinguished guests assembled here and also the

people of Nepal.

Dear Friends, when I see you all in Nepal, I am reminded of my childhood. I was born in

island, I studied in island, I graduated in the east sea coast, worked in east and west sea coast

during the space and defence missions. But whenever I see mountain and hilly region, I am

inspired. It gives me happiness. I travelled from Delhi to Kathmandu. When approaching

Kathmandu, I have seen the beautiful sight of many peaks of the mountains of Nepal, what a

wonderful scene. When I look at the peaks of the mountains, it inspires me to think higher and

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to have a bigger vision. Vision at the peak always gives the guiding light for the nation.

Hence, I feel small aim is a crime. We should aim high, achieve high and also uplift the

people to a higher quality of life with prosperity and peace. My greetings to all of you.

It has been one of my long cherished desires to come to this great nation of diverse, serene

landscape of tall mountains and terrain plains. It is but natural that Nepal has been a place of

tourist attraction, a place of tranquility and a country with great potential to contribute to the

prosperity of the region. Nepal is endowed with eight of the world's ten highest mountains.

India and Nepal both are multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi-religious countries. People

of both India and Nepal share common civilizational heritages. I am delighted to be in the

midst of political leaders, judicial experts, bureaucrats, diplomats, academicians, scientists,

engineers, researches, students, member of the media and people from all walks of life of

Nepal.

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In India, Nepal is indeed a greatly admired nation. We both nations have strategic partnership

in multiple areas. As close neighbors, India and Nepal share a unique relationship of

friendship and cooperation characterized by open borders and deep rooted people-to-people

contacts of kinship and culture. There has been a long tradition of free movement of people

across the borders. Nepal and India are major trade partners. Bilateral trade between India and

Nepal has increased substantially since the signing of the Trade Treaty in 1996. With this

ambience, dear friends, I am delighted to address the distinguished audience of Nepal. I would

like to share a few thoughts on “Dynamics of Societal Transformation”, which is based on

the experience of my nation and beyond.

Origins of Life

Ancient human history has been revealed beautifully by Paleo-anthropology. 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 colonized 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. All this phenomenal progress has been achieved only within the short span of 200 to

400 generations that is in just 5,000 to 10,000 years.

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Newer DNA technologies have given us better insight in retracing the history of man. ‘The

DNA of a human being is his history book ever written’. Intelligence, cognizance, drug

response, behavioral problems are all related to genes: disease gene mapping is progressing at

a faster pace with new age DNA technology. It is probably during the 50,000-30,000 years of

co-existence that societies have evolved adopting newer innovations and cultures.

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Thus the ‘Nature – Nurture’ philosophy holds good even in this Genomic Era: ‘Genes’. While

what we inherit from our parents is the basis, a beautiful ‘building’ can be built over it, with

the environment playing a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the individual and leading to

excellence or otherwise.

Challenges of Modern Society

Advances in genetics demonstrating great similarity in the genome of man and animals

shows that the limbic brain perhaps is the cause for all conflicts within and outside. So

far human society, from origin until now has always been at war within and between

groups and has led to two World Wars. Presently, terrorism and low intensity warfare are

affecting many parts of the world. Simultaneously the brain is intelligent to understand

the price, the humanity has paid because of such conflicts and if only this attention is

diverted to development, the human civilization would have taken a shape leading to

peaceful co-existence.

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We have to analyze why wars have occurred so far in the human history and see, how do we

avoid future conflicts. Paucity of resources, inequitable growth within countries and different

parts of the world, deprivation, depleting resources, ego are among the reasons for conflicts

along with remnants of hatred from historical fights. So it becomes necessary to analyze

potential sources of conflicts in the 21st century for us to spot problem zones and avoid

conflicts, as far as possible. Man is fighting a war on all fronts - environmental degradation

and diseases on one side and terrorism on the other side. Now let me discuss, how we can

promote unity of minds.

Unity of Minds

I was studying the classic “Dialogues of Plato”, where Plato brings out “our aim in

founding the State was not the disproportionate happiness of any one class, but the greatest

happiness of the whole” 2400 years ago. Similarly, during the same period Tamil poet Saint

Thiruvalluvar said,

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That is, "the important elements that constitute a nation are: being disease free; wealth; high

productivity; harmonious living and strong defence". We have to find how we can provide all

these elements to all the citizens of the nation on an equitable basis for happiness for all. This

may result in an extremism free world, a peaceful world. I would like to first discuss with you

my personal experience in exploring what brings happiness to the human beings.

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During the year 2003, I visited one of the Indian states, Arunachal Pradesh, I visited a

Buddhist monastry at Tawang 3500 m. altitude. I stayed and spent some time nearly for a day.

I observed a unique situation in all the villages nearby where young and experienced were all

radiating happiness in spite of severe winter environment. Then, I visited the 400 years old

Tawang monastery itself and there also I saw monks of all age groups in a state of serenity. I

was asking myself what is the unique feature of Tawang and surrounding villages which

makes people and monks to be at peace with themselves. When the time came, I asked the

Chief Monk, how in Tawang villages and monastry, I am experiencing peace and happiness

being radiated by everyone. There was a pause, the chief monk smiled. He said, "You are the

President of India. You will be knowing all about us and the whole nation. Again I said, "It is

very important for me, you please give me your thoughtful analysis".

There was a beautiful golden image of Lord Buddha radiating smile and peace. The Chief

Monk assembled nearby all his nearly 100 young and experienced monks. The Chief Monk

and myself were sitting amidst them. The Chief Monk gave a short discourse, which I would

like to share with you. Chief Monk said, "In the present world, we have a problem of distrust,

unhappiness transforming into violence. This monastery spreads: when you "Remove “I” and

“Me” from your mind, you will eliminate ego; if you get rid of ego, hatred towards fellow

human beings will vanish; if the hatred goes out of our mind, the violence in thinking and

action will disappear; if violence in our mind is taken away, peace springs in human minds.

Then peace and peace and peace alone will blossom in the society". I realized the meaning of

beautiful equation for peaceful life, but difficult mission for the individual is how to remove

the ethos of “I” and “ME”. For this, we need the education inculcated in the young age as

propagated by our philosophers.

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In my search for evolving a peaceful and prosperous society, I got part answer. My search for

real truth continues. I saw an ancient Christian monastery in Bulgaria, where I had a

discussion with highly experienced monks on the message of Tawang. The Monk added that

forgiveness is also the foundation of good life. Similarly in the birth place of Swami

Vivekananda, I explained the Tawang experience to the disciples and they too felt the

Tawang experience indeed is beautiful and they added "Trait of Giving " will add to peace

and happiness. Then I visited Ajmeer Sharif where I participated in the Friday Namaz. Here,

the Sufi expert told me that Almighty's creation, the man, has been challenged with another

powerful creation of Shaitan.

Only good deeds lead to good thinking, good thinking results into actions radiating love as

commanded by Almighty. While talking about good deeds, I am reminded of the advice given

to Gandhiji by his mother. She says,

"Son, in your entire life time, if you can save or better someone's life, your birth as a

human being and your life is a success. You have the blessing of the Almighty God".

This advice has made a deep impact in the mind of Gandhiji, which made him to work for the

humanity throughout his life. During the 100th birthday of His Holiness Sree Sree

Shivakumara Swamiji of Sree Siddaganga Math, Tumkur, Karnataka, a southern state of

India - a message of “Giving” came to my mind celebrating his contribution, which I would

like to share with you

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“Radiating message on Giving”

“O my fellow citizens,

In giving, you receive happiness,

In Body and Soul.

You have everything to give.

If you have knowledge, share it.

If you have resources, share it with the needy.

Use your mind and heart,

To remove the pain of the suffering,

And, cheer the sad hearts.

In giving, you receive happiness.

Almighty will bless all your actions.”

What message do we get from all these experiences? All these experiences give an insight

that human beings can attain lasting peace and happiness only when they rise above their

selves and work towards serving others without external temptation. Is it utopian goal or is it

practicable in day-to-day life? I have come across many incidents where people have,

irrespective of their normal professional affiliations, have come forward for great societal

missions by giving.

Federalism in societal development

Friends, I would like to start with my experience of meeting people from different parts

of my country and different parts of the world. I have seen that whether the countries are

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big or small; developed or developing; whatever be the geographical location there are

certain common aspirations. What are they? People would like to have education, good

habitat, food security, quality affordable healthcare, copious water and energy,

contribute to development and to be free from obstacles to growth like extremism. The

technology has made a connected world. Whether it is an individual or a family or a

village or a nation – big or small, the societal transformation is a function of individual

and environment. For example the world leaders are meeting at different places to find

lasting solutions to the current economic crisis faced by the world. A decision taken at

the remote location of the world can impact the whole world. In such a connected world,

I firmly believe the fastest transformation can take place if the core competence of

individual nations can be brought together to the mutual benefit of the nations.

What is going to be crucial is how to preserve the individual unique characteristics and at the

same time contribute to and benefit from a federal society. The youth of nations wherever

they are, aspire to live in a developed nation, in a peaceful atmosphere and contribute to peace

and prosperity of the world. Where does peace come from? I remember a divine hymn:

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Righteousness 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.

Evolution of enlightened citizenship

Now, I would like to put forth to this important gathering, a methodology for evolving a

happy, prosperous and peaceful society in our planet, which I call as “Evolution of

Enlightened society”. How do we create such an enlightened society, which will have

three components (a) Education with value system (b) Religion transforming into

spirituality and (c) Economic development for societal transformation.

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This doctrine of evolution of enlightened citizenship, I have presented to both houses of our

Parliament, European Union Parliament on special invitation and many other heads of

countries and received constructive feed back. Let me present.

Education with value system:

We have seen that the seeds of peace in the world have their origin in the righteousness in

the heart of every individual. Such righteous citizens lead to the evolution of enlightened

society. Education with value system has to be so designed that the righteousness in the

heart is developed in young minds. That should be the mission of education. The prime

learning environment is five to seventeen years of age. This reminds me of an ancient

Greek teacher's saying, "Give me a child for seven years; afterwards, let God or devil

take the child. They cannot change the child". This indicates the power of great

teachers and what they can inculcate in the young minds. Parents and teachers must

inculcate moral leadership amongst children. It requires the ability to have insights into

the uniqueness and universality of human consciousness. True education is the

acquisition of enlightened feelings and enlightened powers to understand daily events and

to understand the permanent truth linking man, to his environment, human and planetary.

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While I was in college, I remember the lectures given by the highest authority of a Jesuit

institution Rev Father Rector Kalathil of St. Joshep’s college, Tiruchirappalli, Southern India.

Every week on Monday, he will take a class for an hour. He used to talk about good human

beings present and past and what makes a good human being. In this class, he used to give

lectures on personalities such as Buddha, Confucius, St. Augustine, Califa Omar, Mahatma

Gandhi, Einstein, Abraham Lincoln and moral stories linked to our civilizational heritage. In

the moral science class, Father Kalathil used to highlight the best aspect of, how the great

personalities have been evolved as good human beings through parental care, teaching and

companionship of great books. Even though these lessons were given to me in 1950’s during

my college days, they inspire me even today.

It is essential that in the schools and colleges, lectures are given by great teachers of the

institution once in a week for one hour on civilizational heritage and derived value system.

This may be called as Moral Science Class that will elevate the young minds to love the

country, to love the other human beings and elevate them to higher planes.

Now, let me take up the area that is transforming religion into spiritual force. Many in the

world believe, it is a difficult mission. I would like to share an experience that I have

witnessed which has convinced me that it is possible.

Religion Transforming into Spirituality: Universal Mind

Religion has two components, theology and spirituality. Even though theology is

unique to every religion, the spiritual component spreads the value to be inculcated by

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human beings for promoting a good human life and welfare of the society, while

pursuing the material life. I would like to share an experience how the religion and

science came together in a big mission.

It was during early 1960’s, the founder of Indian Space Research Programme Prof. Vikram

Sarabhai with his team, had located a place technically most suited for space research after

considering many alternatives. The place called Thumba in Kerala, was selected for space

research as it was near the magnetic equator, ideally suited for ionospheric and electrojet

research in upper atmosphere. I was fortunate to work with Prof Vikram Sarabhai for about

eight years.

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The major challenge for Prof Vikram Sarabhai was to get the place in a specific area. As was

normal, Prof. Vikram Sarabhai approached the Kerala Government administrators first. After

seeing the profile of the land and the sea coast, the view expressed was that, thousands of

fishing folks lived there, the place had an ancient St Mary Magdalene Church, Bishop's House

and a school. Hence it would be very difficult to give this land and they were willing to

provide land in an alternative area. Similarly the political system also opined that it would be

a difficult situation due to the existence of important institutions and the concern for people

who were to be relocated. However there was a suggestion to approach the only person who

could advise and help. That was the Bishop “Rev Father Peter Bernard Pereira”.

Prof Vikram Sarabhai, approached the Bishop on a Saturday evening, I still remember. The

meeting between the two turned out to be historical. Many of us witnessed the event. Rev

Father exclaimed, “Oh Vikram, you are asking my children’s abode, my abode and God’s

abode. How is it possible?” Both had a unique quality that they could smile even in difficult

situations. Rev Father Peter Bernard Pereira asked Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to come to church

on Sunday morning at 9.00 AM. Prof. Vikram Sarabhai went to the church again on Sunday

with his team. At that time the prayer was progressing with the recitation of Bible by Father

Pereira. After the prayer was over, the Bishop invited Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to come to the

dais.

The Rev Father introduced Prof Vikram Sarabhai to the mass, “Dear children, here is a

scientist, Prof. Vikram Sarabhai. What do sciences do? All of us experience, including this

church, the light from electricity. I am able to talk to you through the mike which is made

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possible by technology. The treatment to patients by doctors comes from medical sciences.

Science through technology enhances the comfort and quality of human life. What do, I do,

as a preacher? I pray for you, for your well being, for your peace. In short, what Vikram is

doing and what I am doing, are the same - both science and spirituality seek the Almighty’s

blessings for human prosperity in body and mind. Dear Children, Prof Vikram says, he would

build within a year, near the sea-coast, alternative facilities to what we are having. Now dear

children, can we give our abode, can we give my abode, can we give the God’s abode for a

great scientific mission?” There was a total silence, a pin drop silence. Then all of them got

up and said ‘Amen’ which made the whole church reverberate.

That was the church where we had our design centre, where we started rocket assembly and

the Bishop’s house was our scientists’ working place. Later the Thumba Equatorial Rocket

Launching Station (TERLS) led to the establishment of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

(VSSC) and the space activities transformed into multiple space centers throughout the

country. Now this church has become an important centre of learning, where thousands of

people learn about the dynamic history of the space programme of India and the great minds

of a scientist and spiritual leader. Of course, the Thumba citizens got the well equipped

facilities, worshiping place and educational centre in an alternate place at the right time.

When I think of this event, I can see how enlightened spiritual and scientific leaders can

converge towards giving reverence to the human life. Of course the birth of TERLS and then

VSSC gave the country the capability for launch vehicles, spacecraft and space applications

that have accelerated social and economic development in India to unprecedented levels.

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Today, among us, Prof Vikram Sarabhai is not there, Rev Peter Bernard Pereira is not there,

but those who are responsible for creation and making flowers blossom will themselves be a

different kind of flower as described in the Bhagwat Gita: "See the flower, how generously it

distributes perfume and honey. It gives to all, gives freely of its love. When its work is done,

it falls away quietly. Try to be like the flower, unassuming despite all its qualities". What a

beautiful message, to the humanity on the purpose of life reflected the spiritual component.

Can we bridge the spiritual component of the religions to bring peace to nations and to the

world?

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Now let us discuss the third important component of enlightened society which is to achieve

economic development for societal transformation with our country’s example.

Economic development for societal transformation.

It is not adequate to have value based education and religion transforming into

spirituality alone to develop enlightened citizens. Nation’s economic development is

powered by Economic growth, economic growth is powered by competitiveness, the

competitiveness is powered by knowledge power and the knowledge is powered by

technology and innovation. Nations have to ensure that there is an economic

development process which provides equitable distribution of wealth to all citizens of

the nation. Effort should be to upgrade the quality of life of citizens living both in rural

and urban areas. This can be accomplished only through people participation in the

development process. It is essential to ensure that the citizens are empowered with

good quality of life encompassing nutritious food, good habitat, clean environment,

affordable healthcare, quality education and productive employment, integrated with

our value system drawn from civilizational heritage leading to the comprehensive

development of the nation that will bring smiles in the faces of 30 million citizens of

Nepal. These are indicators for the growth of the National Prosperity Index.

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To achieve that growth rate, Nepal can identify five areas where Nepal has a core competence

for integrated action: (1) Agriculture and food processing (2) Education and Healthcare (3)

Information and Communication Technology (4) Infrastructure development such as power,

transportation, communication including Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA)

for the 3,000 villages which envisages provision of Physical connectivity, electronic

connectivity, knowledge connectivity leading to economic connectivity and (5) enhance

tourism. Peace is an essential ingredient for accelerating development. Based on the

experience of the execution of interim plan, Nepal can draw a 10 years vision with the help of

public, private and academic partnership.

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The objective of the 10 year vision would be to realize the following:

a)Increasing the per capita income of Nepal from the present US$380 to at least US$2000.

b)Realizing 100% literacy including the people living in hilly region.

c)Providing value added employment to all the youth of Nepal.

d)Reducing IMR, MMR and providing quality healthcare to every citizen.

How do we realize these objectives?

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For meeting these objectives, the missions for Nepal could include:

a)Large scale plantation of herbs and conversion of herb to drug. Large scale plantation of

floriculture with fragrance.

b)Tourism including eco-tourism, mountaineering tourism and health tourism for attracting 2

million tourists.

c)Large scale commissioning of hydro power-plants and windmills.

d)Commissioning of Software, IT, ITES and electronic intensive industries.

e)Creation of 240 PURA complexes covering the 3,000 villages.

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These missions will lead to provision of large scale employment, enhance literacy, provide

quality healthcare and bridge the rural urban divide of Nepal. The resultant economic growth

will enable “ending of all kinds of discrimination, inequality, exploitation and poverty and

mapping out the destiny of a prosperous Federal Democratic New Nepal” as envisaged by the

Hon’ble President of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal in his address to the Nepal

Legislature – Parliament on 10 September 2008. The realization of the vision of transforming

Nepal into a developed nation before 2018 can be achieved by energizing and igniting the

minds of 30 million people of Nepal, particularly 16 million youth and unify the actions of

every citizen of the country.

Conclusion

Prosperity of nations is important for the prosperity of the world and promotion of a

peaceful, happy and non-violent society. The centuries of learning from different

civilizations should enable us to formulate ideas and systems to bring prosperity and

reduce disparities. Convergence of the civilization has to be the focus of the world rather

than projection of conflicts of civilizations. One of the main drivers would be human

values bridged by spirituality of religions. We have to find solutions for equitable

distribution of essential requirements such as water, energy and preservation of the

environment. I believe that humanity as a whole has to work with focused national,

regional and international missions as presented by the evolution of enlightened

citizenship which itself will be a major unifying factor and pave the way for peaceful,

prosperous, happy and safe society.

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My greetings and best wishes to all of you friends, for the success in realizing Nepal’s

prosperity and peace. May God bless you.

APJ Abdul Kalam,

17.11.2008