The Hindu : Gandhi, a solitary beacon of hope: President

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 02, 2002

National

National

Gandhi, a solitary beacon of hope: President

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI OCT. 1. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today appealed to the people to draw inspiration from the life of Mahatma Gandhi as it stood like a solitary beacon of hope in a "strife-torn world, where self-aggrandisement and unbridled avarice subjugate every other emotion''.

In a message on the eve of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today, the President called for a second vision to transform India into a developed nation.

Describing Mahatma Gandhi as "the true selfless soul, the ultimate symbol of humility, who found us freedom treading with a single-minded devotion the path of truth, peace, love and non-violence'', Dr. Kalam called upon his compatriots to "rededicate ourselves to foster unity of minds in our motherland and to spread messages of peace, tolerance, communal harmony and national development''.

He hoped that the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi would continue to guide all of us as our country progresses towards higher levels of development.

"Like the first vision of the nation to attain freedom generated unity of thoughts and actions with a singular aim, we recognise our nation has to have the second vision to transform India into a developed nation. This needs focussed mission projects and actions from everyone of us with unified thinking that the nation is bigger than the individual. This vision armed with economic strength will eliminate all small thoughts and actions and the evil designs of divisive forces that challenge the peace and prosperity of the nation and its security,'' the President said in his message.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National