The Hindu : International / India & World : U.N. should `represent a just world order': Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

International

International - India & World

U.N. should `represent a just world order': Kalam

By Vinay Kumar

DAR ES SALAAM (TANZANIA), SEPT. 13. Away from banquets and formal engagements, the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, had a stimulating 50-minute interaction with intellectuals here last night. And, it was his opinion on strengthening and restructuring the United Nations that got everyone talking about it.

In Mr. Kalam's opinion, a world body like the U.N. should be "equitable'' and "represent a just world order.'' There should not be any country in the U.N. with veto power. "A world body like U.N. should not be dependent upon financially on one or a group of nations for its functioning,'' he told a group of about 30 intellectuals in the conference room of his Royal Palm hotel. However, he was quick to point out that these were his "personal views and not of my government.''

The President was responding to a query by a former Tanzanian Prime Minister, Salim Ahmed Salim, on how the U.N. could be restructured and strengthened. Mr. Kalam answered a volley of questions during his free-wheeling interaction, ranging from the menace of terrorism to the ways of shaping up Tanzania's economy, agriculture and small scale industries. He told the Indian High Commissioner, Dinesh Jain, to let the intellectuals shoot queries freely and it was left to the President to conduct the proceedings himself.

Major global problem

Admitting that terrorism was a major global problem, Mr. Kalam said that India was facing cross-border terrorism as well. However, the Government had taken measures to check it and these included border fencing and the utmost vigil. "In addition to these, we are also talking to Pakistan. There is progress in our talks and Pakistan is on negotiating table with us,'' he told the gathering.

Elaborating on the steps to eliminate terrorism from the world, Mr. Kalam favoured the formation of a new world body which would help create enlightened human beings. "This can be done by devising systems which can provide education with values. Value-based education should be imparted to the youth till they are of 17 years,'' he said.

On religion, Mr. Kalam said it should transform into spirituality connecting people together by love and compassion.

His suggestion for improving Tanzanian economy — shift your focus to agriculture and that too dry-land farming and multi-crop system. Create job opportunities and tie up with universities in other countries with exchange programmes.

But what took the cake was a question on how many women were involved in the decision- making process in India. The President said that women occupied a lot of powerful positions in India. "They are pilots, doctors and engineers. There is a woman Minister, Meira Kumar, in my delegation and another woman Member of Parliament, Mehbooba Mufti, who hails from the beautiful land of Kashmir is also in the delegation,'' he said and pointed to another "powerful woman'' seated next to him-- Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, Shashi Tripathi.

Mr. Kalam informed the gathering that women in India were demanding 33 per cent reservation in legislative bodies. "And we are with them in their demand,'' he said as the house clapped and cheered him.

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

International