Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120460540900.htm

Karnataka

Manmohan: I am a politician by accident

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: “I am a politician by accident. It is teaching that is my first love…” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh prefaced his address to scientists and researchers after dedicating the International Centre for Materials Sciences in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Deviating from the written speech, he said that the years he spent as university teacher were the most enjoyable part of his life.

He hailed Bangalore’s achievements in science and technology. “Sir Winston Churchill said the empires of future are going to be the empires of the mind. Whenever I visit Bangalore, I get a feeling of elation that India has captured the attention of the world because of its strides in various fields.”

He said that because of the collective efforts of many people, Bangalore and Karnataka had become national hubs of science and technological activity.