Editorial
An enlightening sojourn
Former Indian president’s words are inspiring
The former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's three-day visit to Bangladesh has been an enlivening experience for the local intelligentsia and the scientific community. His words reverberated among the development thinkers, and the scientists as a source of inspiration. Being a man of science, it is therefore very natural that the former Indian president laid his greatest emphasis on researches in science and technology and creativity as the basis of sustainable development in society.
In Bangladesh context, Dr. Abdul Kalam's lectures bear significance, particularly at a time when the nation is in a predicament of choosing among too many priorities clamouring for immediate attention in relation to its development and growth. The natural resource base of the country is limited. To all appearances, the natural gas reserve, on which depends generation of power for the country is depleting. So, the question of uninterrupted growth and development of the economy is inextricably linked to unhindered generation of power, which cannot be ensured unless there is a sound and reliable energy base. Small wonder the former Indian president in his lectures shed light on that vital issue stressing the need for using solar and other forms of renewable energy for development.
At the same time, he also pointed to the new, emerging concept of resource. For so far, one looked for resources in mineral ores and fossil deposits tucked away in the womb of Mother Nature. But, of late, such traditional concept has undergone a revolution. So, he pointed to knowledge shared among all people in a society, which he termed 'knowledge society,' as the new resource for humans to draw on in the new century.
At the same time, he brought to the fore the priorities of the twenty-first century when knowledge and science will have no borders so that all people may use those without bias or prejudice. Such proposition is pertinent in the present global context, when nation states are finding it increasingly harder to solve their problems of development, poverty alleviation, environmental protection, sharing of transboundary water resources, food and energy security and so on all by themselves.
It is hoped that the scientific and enlightening views of the former Indian president may provide a fresh perspective for our development thinkers, planners and scientists in the pursuit of national development goals.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments