Centre, states cannot take soft approach on terrorism: Advani

Davanagere (Karnataka), Feb.13 : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K.Advani today called on the UPA-led Government at the Centre to take concrete steps to counter the spread of terrorism in the country.

Addressing faculty and academia of the G M Institute of Technology here after inaugurating one of its college buildings, Advani said that he was concerned and alarmed to read of late that Karnataka is becoming a hub for terrorist activities.

"Organizations like SIMI, which have links with extremist outfits abroad, seem to be spreading their tentacles secretly in this state. What is disturbing is that some young students and professionals from Karnataka are getting drawn into this terror net. Just a few days ago, there were reports of some persons arrested in UP and interrogations revealing that they had a hand in the terrorist attack on the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and were also planning an attack on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Advani said.

"The government of the day, be it in New Delhi or in states, cannot take a soft approach to this menace for short-term political considerations. I can assure that you that we shall not," Advani added.

He said that India is now being seen all over the world as the next economic superpower in the making, and this transformation was of great importance, and should fill all Indians with patriotic pride. Their objective should be to make India strong, prosperous and proud, he added.

Advani also dwelled on the issue of brain drain, saying that the exercise of nation-building should permeate all sectors of society so that a better future was left for the younger generation.

"We are not paying enough attention to this aspect. As in the case of so many other aspects of nation-building, this also is linked to the theme of good governance," Advani said.

Lauding the state of Karnataka for having made tremendous strides in the field of education, the senior BJP leader said that often he reflected on " whether those of us in politics and government are thinking enough, and doing enough, in terms of fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of today's young generation."

"Many of you here will recall that there used to be a lot of debate in the earlier decades about the phenomenon called 'Braid Drain'. It's good to know that there is now a reversal in the trend and, these days, I hear of a new term called 'Brain Gain' - which refers to the phenomenon of educated and successful Indians abroad returning to our country since India itself is providing very many exciting opportunities in business and professions," Advani said.

He also spoke about the success of NDA-initiated programs like the world-class network of highways, the telecom and IT revolution, the Sarva Shikshan Abhiyan to universalize elementary education and a host of other initiatives to accelerate economic growth created new opportunities for more and more Indians.

These, he said, have boosted national pride.

"All of us - in society as well as in the polity - have a responsibility to ensure that our children and young Indians belonging to the rural and urban poor, and especially those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, benefit from India's Rise," he said.

"My dream is to see that we not only have an Infrastructure Revolution in India - roads, electricity, telecoms, ports, airports, irrigation and science and technology for agriculture etc., but also an Education Revolution in our country," he concluded. B.S. Yediyurappa, former chief minister of Karnataka, Ananth Kumar, general secretary of the BJP and G.M. Siddeshwara, chairman of Srishyla Education Trust were present on the occasion.

ANI