PM dedicates comp centre in memory of C Subramanium

Mumbai, Oct 6: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that India was blessed in the 20th century as it was home to some of the greatest men and women who possessed great compassion, intellect and abiding commitment to humanity.

Speaking at a function after dedicating the Computer Centre of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan's Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology in memory of late C Subramanium, Mr Singh described the former Bhavan president as a person of great vision and courage, who laid the foundation stone of the ''Green Revolution'' along with late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

''It was because of their vision, courage, steadfastness and commitment to national values ensured that India became self-sufficient in food grains,'' the Prime Minister recalled.

''C Subramanium was a multi-faceted personality. As a minister of science and technology, he produced a paper on science policy for development of the country. I worked with him when he was the finance minister,'' he said.

Describing the Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology as a place where excellence and social commitment go hand in hand, he said he was fortunate to dedicate the Institute in memory of ''one of the greatest men of our times for whom I have great love, regard and respect and from whom I learnt a lot.'' Mr Singh said the Institute was fulfilling the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, who believed in equitable and economically viable decentralised method of development.

''The IT revolution will sweep the country and the decentralised way of development will be realised,'' he added.

Dr Singh said inspired by great men such as Mahatma Gandhi, a generation of Indians created and nurtured great institutions. The Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan was one such institution, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit - the most ancient, musical and scientific of languages.

''Under Kulpati K M Munshi's leadership, the Bhavan branched out into diverse activities,'' he said.

He said from the days of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, successive governments have greatly valued the Bhavan's contribution to human development. The Bhavan has also inspired people abroad to come forward and contribute their might to the preservation and promotion of Indian culture and learning.

''The Bhavan is a unique institution because its feet are firmly placed on the solid foundation of our rich heritage and culture, while its head soared into the skies to embrace all that is new and modern. The Bhavan has spread its wings and flown into new areas of education. It is a valued institution across the country. It is, therefore, only natural that the Bhavan has branched off into teaching Information Technology and addressing the needs of particularly the downtrodden and the dispossessed,'' the Prime Minister said.

Dr Singh, who inaugurated the Institute in July 1996, said he would look into the measures to accelerate the tempo of computer education in the North East.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora who is the Vice Chairman of the Institute said Dr Singh himself had provided Rs 10 lakh from his MP fund to start the Institute's branch at Guwahati as the Prime Minister is a member of Rajya Sabha from Assom.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Governor S M Krishna were also present at the function.

UNI