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Work together to promote green economy: Abdul Kalam to Dhaka, Delhi
Reported by: UNBconnect
Reported on: Jul 05, 2012 10:25 pm
Reported in: National

Dhaka, July 5 (UNB) - Former Indian president and nuclear scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on Thursday voiced his "dreams" of bolstered Bangladesh-India relations for promoting green economy and replacing plastic products with jute goods. "I have a dream India and Bangladesh will join hands to replace plastics by jute products (globally)," he said while delivering lecture on the 33rd founding anniversary of Dhaka-based Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (Cirdap).The noted scientist said the global vision 2030 envisages the realisation of green clean environment without pollution, having prosperity without poverty, peace without fear of war and a happy place to live in for all citizens of the nations of the world. Focusing on several core competencies of Bangladesh which can be collectively pooled for mutual benefits, Kalam said Bangladesh has the core competencies in utilising bio-diversity, mobilising water sources and value adding to bamboo, jute marine products.Referring to global challenges, he said today the challenges in some parts of the world are poverty, illiteracy, need of safe drinking water, clean and green energy, equitable distribution of resources, quality education with values for all overcoming social imbalances, curing diseases, quality healthcare for all and good living conditions.“Individual nations are working to find a solution to these challenges. However, we’re clearly witnessing that challenges faced by nations are not only their making or the solutions amenable only by the individual nations. There are many international dimensions for the causes and solutions. Hence working for solution is a collective responsibility of global community.”He said the world today is the integrally connected through four rapid connectivities - environment, people, economy and ideas.The octogenarian Indian scientist also underscored the need for regional cooperation particularly in water management for ensuring peace and development in the region. “The most important thing for the advancement of the region is water management. If we can do this, production, growth and other development will expand…the scarce resource being shared by the two countries through common rivers was being wasted largely due to "inefficient management,” he added.Kalam laid out his rural development model in line with his Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA). The former Indian president also outlined a detailed design for implementing his PURA model in Bangladesh's Khulna region.“In my view for achieving sustainable development system in our rural complexes, we need PURA- Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas, which envisages four types of connectivity, namely; physical, electronic and knowledge connectivity leading to economic connectivity of the complex. Such PURA is driven by rural entrepreneurship and becomes a growth centre for this entire region,” he said.The model focuses a comprehensive approach for rural development ensuring jobs and civic amenities to villages under private-public partnership which is run by local government bodies at the grassroots.Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, state minister for the ministry Jahangir Kabir Nanak, leading economists, sociologists, foreign relation experts and diplomats attended the function at the Cirdap auditorium.He also stressed the need for forming a platform of Asia Pacific sustainable development saying, “In the 21st centaury world, we need to evolve platforms for the seamless flow and exchange of knowledge and technology across the world for the sustainable development. This would require the creation of Asia Pacific sustainable development platform which cane be done as a venture between multiple nations of Cirdap and other Asia Pacific nations, industries and academic and research institutions in this domain.”Later, addressing a press conference, Kalam hoped that South Asia will emerge as an integrated region like the European Union in the next 10 years."I think South Asia will emerge as an integrated region …in next 10 years" discarding their rivalry following footsteps of the EU and ASEAN nations.”He stressed visionary leadership who could make plan for the next 10 years.Asked if he has had any "guilty feeling" for his key role in nuclear armament of India as he now spearheads campaigns for regional peace and enhanced cooperation, Kalam said, “India has made nuclear weapons to sustain peace in the region. The weapon has created the balance of power and kept India safe from various problems.”Earlier, on Wednesday, the noted scientist came to Dhaka on a two-day visit to attend the 33rd foundation day celebration of Cirdap. This is Kalam's second visit to Bangladesh after 2009.Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Kalam met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Jatiya Sangsad office.During the meeting, Hasina reiterated that Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its relationship with India.Kalam said rural development should be the main focus to alleviate poverty and stressed the need for regional cooperation, extended up to the Asia-Pacific region, to this end.He appreciated Digital Bangladesh and Vision 2021 concepts of Bangladesh and lauded the country's sustainable economic development.

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