India should initiate a doctrine of global cooperation: Kalam

Kochi, Feb 3 (UNI) Expressing concern on the menace of terrorism stalking the world, former President A P J Abdul Kalam today said India should pioneer a 'doctrine of global cooperation based on regional collaboration'.

Inaugurating the valedictory function of the 450th anniversary celebrations of the Cochin Diocese of the Latin Catholic Church here, he said terrorism and extremist violence were affecting many parts of the world today. ''We have to make some sacrifice for peace, just as the Apostle of peace had done 2,000 years ago,'' he added.

Stating that India was unique in successfully managing 'unity in diversity', he said the country was a living example to every region in the world.

''India must come up with a doctrine of global cooperation based on regional collaboration, which in turn should be based on the core competence of each country and its people,'' he said.

He stressed the need for a value-based education, transformation of religion into spirituality and orient economic development towards societal transformation to achieve the goal 'India a developed nation by 2020'. ''Put these three ingredients into a single mission and then only peace will come to this world,'' he added.

The University of Nalanda, with which he was now associated, had decided to integrate all these three points to sow the seeds of a world free of extremism, Mr Kalam said.

On the role of religious institutions in developing righteousness among people, he said all temples mosques and churches should put up a set of vows like ''I will remove enmity in the family by taking back any court case, I will provide education to both the male and female child alike, I will lead a life free from corruption etc'' - which the devotees could follow.

Mr Oscar Fernandes laid the foundation stone for the Orthopaedic Department at the Fatima Hospital while Cardian Gracias inaugurated the 'jubilee village' consisting of houses constructed for the poor.

Dr Ferrao released a 'commemoration volume' on the occasion while Dr Emilio Rui Vilar inaugurated the Vasco da Gama Research Institute and released a book on the Indo-Portuguese Museum.

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