Kalam makes case for knowledge platform

Kalam is the first Indian president to address the EU parliament, which had a strength of 800-odd members.

The World Knowledge Platform is needed for “synergising the core competence of the European Union and India in critical areas providing solutions to problems of water, healthcare, and capacity building”, he said. Describing Europe and India as “natural partners”, the Indian President pondered, “Do we share a common history and heritage, possibly in the future, a common destiny?” Kalam found an “inter-connectedness” between the two. The bond between Europe and India has matured through a sustained trade and intellectually satisfying collaboration in areas of science and technology, he said.

Elaborating on the idea of World Knowledge Platform, the president said bio, nano and information technology are going to touch every area that is a concern of the humanity. Such a platform can make the world a safe, sustainable and a peaceful place to live in. In water, for instance, he suggested desalination of seawater using solar energy, networking of rivers and cost-effective safe drinking water.

Other areas of cooperation on the common platform could be knowledge products, agriculture and food processing, transport systems, habitat, disaster prediction and management and capacity building, he suggested and stressed the need for a joint strategy on ensuring a “three dimensional approach for energy choice towards realising a clean planet earth”. Talking about India, the President observed that its economy was poised for an ascent.

But even though the GDP growth indicates economic growth, people’s participation is essential for achieving the targets. It was essential to “ensure that the citizens are empowered with good quality of life encompassing good food, good habitat, clean environment, affordable healthcare, quality education and productive employment.”