Kalam speaks up against Corruption

PATNA: Former President A P J Abdul Kalam has expressed concern over the growing tentacles of corruption which is hampering growth and development of the nation. “Corruption is not just an economic menace, but also weakens the social fabric and moral system of the society,” he said.

Kalam was delivering a lecture on “Socially and economically developing Bihar” at the Bihar Chamber of Commerce (BCC) on Tuesday. He said economic development of Bihar was very important, but the state equally needed citizens of high ethics and moral values in business, industry, politics, education and every other walk of life. One should ponder over “what can I give”, Kalam said.

He exhorted the BCC and all guests to deliver good service and promote zero corruption.

He said it was good to see that Bihar today is engaged in development politics. It has registered 11% growth. “When I asked chief minister Nitish Kumar what is the key to success, he (Nitish) said governance, governance and governance”. The state has potential to achieve much. Today, Bihar is socially and economically developed. However, there are a few areas which need attention to accelerate the pace of socioeconomic development to accomplish Mission 2020, he said.

Listing these areas, he said that rural-urban divide should be bridged, there should be equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water, agriculture, industry and service sector work should go in tandem, education should be with a value system, and governance should be responsive, transparent and corruption-free.

Bihar, Kalam said, has to become the top producer of food grains in the country. It could be achieved by giving thrust to areas like sugar industry, dairy, horticulture, storage and processing industry. He said 30% of agro products in the country is wasted due to lack of proper storage. Industry and young entrepreneurs can take up this mission of cold storage chain through cooperative movement, the former president added.

Besides, each district in Bihar should have at least two mobile science laboratories for enriching science education in rural Bihar. “I am organizing two mobile science laboratories in Darbhanga district through Viksit Bharat Foundation under the leadership of M B Verma, who belongs to rural environment and is highly committed. He also emphasized the need for reviving public health care centres in public-private partnership mode, infrastructure development and flood water management. He further said the chamber can design tourist circuits and provide solutions for construction of roads, railways and air travel system.