Kalam gives away Kabir Puraskar, Communal Harmony awards

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today said the education system should lay the foundation among young minds for evolving a conflict-free, happy life, resulting in an attitude of ''giving.'' Speaking on ''Tolerant India, Tolerant World'' after giving away the ''Kabir Puraskar'' and Communal Harmony awards, he said people should, irrespective of their normal professional affiliations, come forward for great societal missions by ''giving.'' In this context, he highlighted a novel education scheme called ''Jeevan Vidya,'' pioneered by Mr Nagaraj and propagated by Prof Ganesh Bagaria, IIT, Kanpur, Prof Rajeev Sangal, Director IIT (Hyderabad) and their teams.

''This scheme addresses the basic causes of major problems of violence, corruption, exploitation, domination, terrorism and war,'' he said, while citing that violent and anti-social behaviour, unless dealt with intensive care and with professionalism, could aggravate the extreme behaviour.

''I understand Jeevan Vidya is a 'teachable human value based skill' that can address inherent conflicts within the mind of the individual, within families, in organizations and in public life.

Inner conflict is the very essence of violence.'' Dr Kalam said Jeevan Vidya developed tolerance for correcting ambiguity and uncertainty in human conduct by enabling self-knowledge that understands harmony in the self and in the entire existence.

Referring to his recent visit to Sree Siddanganga Math in Tumkur, he said Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamiji was spreading the message of ''giving.'' ''During the last seven decades Swamiji has founded well over 125 educational institutions ranging from nursery to institutions of technology, pure science, arts, management, vocational training and performing arts.'' Dr Kalam concluded his speech saying that no devil was allowed to deceive and enter our minds. ''This will ensure a peaceful environment in the society.'' More UNI