Date:20/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/20/stories/2006122023360300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Kalam stresses need for moral science classes

Staff Reporter

KOCHI : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has stressed the role played by moral science classes in moulding good human beings. He gave a call to impart moral science training, in keeping with our heritage.

Inaugurating the centenary celebrations of the CSI Immanuel Church at the Fine Arts Hall on Tuesday, he said that lessons in moral science should be imparted at least once every week in schools and colleges to elevate young minds to a higher level.

"I studied in a school run by Christian missionaries, and teachers there influenced me considerably," he said. He spoke of how his father, then an Imam in Rameshwaram, along with two friends — a Christian priest and a Vedic scholar — used to discuss the three holy books. "I remember my childhood days when the three eminent souls used to speak of the love and compassion that religions spoke of. They showed how religion can be translated into spirituality," Mr. Kalam said.

He attributed Kerala's top rank (among Indian States) in the Human Development Index to the high quality of education and health. "Christian missionaries played a crucial role in this endeavour," Mr. Kalam said.