TUMKUR, India, April 8 (UPI) -- India's President A P J Abdul Kalam called for "real education" among the youth, which focuses on development of humanism and promotes universal brotherhood.
At the 99th birthday celebration of one of India's great religious leaders in the Indian southern state Kanataka, Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Temple, the president called for a change in the Indian education system. In this time of development "there is no room for pettiness, disharmony... Or enmity," he said
The Press Trust of India reported the president as saying that if universal brotherhood becomes the "sheet anchor" for such education, and if this is followed in every field of human activity, it will bring peace and harmony in the world.
Administering a 10-point oath to the students, the President urged them to adopt a secular outlook and not support any religious, caste or language differentiation.
Since taking his oath, the president has been on a campaign urging the youth of India to go beyond their cultural and religious differences and create a national identity and pride. He is frequently meeting with school children and faithfully administers this 10-point oath.
At a time when religion is still a divisive point in the political climate of the country Kalam is taking a brave move in pursuing such a campaign. Recently the Indian police arrested six Islamic militants accused of a bombing in the religious city of Varanasi, which resulted in the death of 20 people.
