No place for terrorism and sectarian hatred, says President

In the backdrop of serial blasts in Delhi and incidents of communal violence in Karnataka and Orissa, President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday said terrorism and sectarian hatred have no place in the society as they were against development.

"Terrorism and communal hatred are enemies of development, stability and a peaceful society," Patil said after receiving the D.Lit (Honoris Causa) conferred by Lucknow University at a special convocation.

Paying glowing tributes to Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma of the Delhi police elite special cell, who made the supreme sacrifice during the Jamia Nagar encounter on September 19, Patil hailed the security and police personnel engaged in fighting terrorism.

"It is the duty of every citizen of the country to co-operate in combating terrorism", Patil urged.

"We have to divest hatred from the minds of some of our misguided youth and bring them to the path of peace, amity and communal harmony", the President said.

Expressing her dismay over the decline in the country's research facilities, Patil said this trend needs to be reversed.

"Research facilities in our universities need to be reinforced. Universities must become centres of research and advance research responding to the requirements of society and various economic sectors such as agriculture and industry", she said.

The President said India is committed to building and improving its infrastructure facilities and to ensure health, education and connectivity across the country.

"All these require a large corpus of well-trained engineers and technologists. Technology carries with itself the immense power to bring about revolutionary changes", she said.

The President said a sound base of research in India had led to the green and white revolutions in the country which brought about far reaching changes. "Our scientists and researchers must look at bringing in new revolutions for enhancing productivity on a sustainable basis", she said.

Patil said practical ways to change the landscape of villages and towns should be looked at and these require a spirit of social service. "We have to reach out and connect India physically, technologically and, need I say, emotionally ! Speaking at other universities in India I have called for a constant interface between students and the communities in which they live," Patil said.

Observing that India's Business Process Outsourcing is a sector which has steadily contributed to the country's economy and provided job opportunities for the young and educated, Patil said India was in a phase of transformation and it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

"India responded creatively to advances in electronics, communication and computer technology and has emerged as a major player in this field. We must strive to maintain our leadership," she said.

The President earlier awarded Gold medals to 28 scholars of the University who excelled in different examinations. Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of the University T V Rajeshwar and Vice-chancellor A S Brar also spoke on the occasion.

The President on reaching the state capital was accorded a Guard of Honour at the airport. The UP Governor, Chief Minister Mayawati and other dignitaries were present to welcome her.