The Hindu : `Non-violence most potent weapon'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 31, 2003

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National

`Non-violence most potent weapon'

By K. Balchand

The President, A.P.J Abdul Kalam, interacting with children at the Raj Bhawan in Patna on Friday. — Photo: Ranjeet Kumar

PATNA MAY 30 . The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, said here today that non-violence was the most potent approach for winning the world.

He preached the message of non-violence not only during his interaction with children at Raj Bhavan but also at his meeting with the followers of Lord Mahavira and Jain Munis at Pawapuri later in the day.

Non-violence could not be countered even with nuclear weapons, said the man who charted the country's missile technology. Nuclear weapons are destructive, but non-violence and peace,

Dr. Kalam asserted, inspired love, friendship, compassion and brotherhood and one could win the world on its strength.

Earlier, replying to one of the queries of the children, the President said that India believed in peace, but added that the country was capable of putting down trouble anyone might dare to foment.

He found Yakshini, a Gupta period sculpture, the prized possession of the Patna Museum, insured for Rs. 25 crores, the most beautiful woman in the world. He underlined the need to undertake research to establish the identities of artistes who had so skilfully carved out the artefacts.

The President outlined the historical and spiritual aspects as a source for promoting tourism, one of the three vehicles for developing the State. His suggestion to the State Government was to prepare a 10-year core competence plan stressing agriculture, tourism and education. He hoped that the State Government would take steps to set up an international university at Nalanda, an ancient seat of learning during the Gupta period, to develop tourism and education.

During his meeting with the Chief Minister, Rabri Devi, the President directed the Chief Secretary to talk to his five-member team of officials for preparing plans of development.

Dr. Kalam laid the foundation stone of the Railway Coach Maintenance Factory at Harnaut in Nalanda district, the Railway Minister, Nitish Kumar's constituency. He became the first President in 26 years to use the President's Saloon to return to Patna from Harnaut under heavy security.

Though print media persons were kept off the President's functions today, Doordarshan, AIR and five private TV channels were allowed to go with him.

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