Soft power, not military will be India's real strength:PM

Jammu, July 15 (UNI) Pointing out that India was a knowledge society with 5000 years of learning behind it, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for turning it into a knowledge economy.

The growing army of educated and skilled young men and women could become the country's greatest force for progress, he said.

Dr Singh was speaking at the Jammu University here after having been been conferred with a Degree of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the the University Chancellor, Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha.

''I have believed that it is this soft power, not just military strength, which will be the real marker of India's greatness. And I am confident that Jammu and Kashmir's young men and women will become a shining example of this soft power,'' he said.

He assured that the Centre will be a full partner in creating institutions of excellence in the State, which can channelise the creativity and energy of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

''We will together build and strengthen a cadre of extraordinarily skilled men and women who are dedicated to a vision of a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. That alone is a guarantee for sustainable peace in the state.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister said he would like at least one out of the 30 new central universities proposed to be in Jammu.

The Prime Minister said that in the new globally competitive environment, it was essential to keep upgrading skills, build first - rate infrastructure, institutions of knowledge and ensure top quality of teaching and training.

''We could consider setting up knowledge centres at the district headquarter level in Jammu&Kashmir. These centres could be equipped with the latest ICT facilities, be fully networked and offer courses that would upgrade skills to a world class level, especially in the field of software where there is a huge shortage of professionals,' he said.

UNI