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SPIRITUAL-SCIENTIFIC PERSONALITY / 225
SPEECHES DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE SEMINAR ON "MORAL
VALUES IN EDUCATION" AT MUMBAI
ON 15th FEBRUARY, 2003
Dr Kalam's Speech
Inaugurating the Seminar, President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam said, "The creation of good people, better society and world peace is possible only with coordination between spiritual and scientific thinking."
Referring to the detailed discussions held with Acharya Mahapragya, Dr Kalam said, "From Acharayaji I received directions as to how we can build an alert, moral and cultured man. Acharyashree suggested that the building of a good human being is possible with coordination between intellectual and emotional development."
Alluding to the smiles on the faces of the newly-initiated ascetics, the President said, "Out of the hundred crore population of India, one-third are children and adolescents. By building beautiful citizens with beautiful minds, we shall be able to remove hatred from our lives."
Quoting several times from the statements of Acharya Mahapragya, the President said, "In order to develop a mind that is peaceful, violence less and without hatred, it is necessary to create a new environment. We should create an environment in which both the tendencies - of 'I' and 'mine' - are annihilated. The two elements of 'I' and 'mine' have created all our problems; have generated the environment of war and disturbance of peace."
Describing Acharya Mahapragya's directions as useful for the whole world, the President said, "Religion and science acting together will be able to give a new direction to mankind. Science needs the helping hand of spirituality."
Referring to the incident involving his teacher Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Bishop Parel, the President said, "Without the helping hand of the spiritual teacher, science could not have moved forward. The scientist asks questions, looks for reason. He can create wealth and property with the help of revolution in communications and agricultural production, provided that he continues to receive help from spirituality. Not only science, the whole nation needs spirituality. The work that Acharya Mahapragyaji is doing in this direction is very valuable.
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