Date:13/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/13/stories/2007011324640200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Globalisation is a double-edged sword'

Staff Reporter

`Think India' summit for professional college students begins

Bangalore: "It is time now to `think' and `progress'," said K. Balaveera Reddy, Vice-Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University, here on Thursday.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of "Think India", a summit for professional college students from South India. The three-day summit is being organised by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

Dr. Reddy said that globalisation was a double-edged sword, which cannot be avoided. He said, "We must all accept change and move with the times."

"We were the first to launch a satellite exclusively for education. However, only some colleges are benefiting. The Government can think of linking all engineering, dental, law and medical colleges. It is not going to cost much and students will be benefited," he said.

Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder of Art of Living Foundation, said it was shocking that with a population of 1.2 billion India still does not have enough representation in the world. "We have to expand our thinking and identity. Our youth should realise that patriotism and universal mindset are not contrary to each other. In the same way, scientific temperament and spiritual mindset should go together," he added.

Sri Sri Ravishankar said that an educated American knew more about Ayurveda than an India. He claimed that the youth were losing touch with their roots and shying away from knowing more about them.