'We must ensure social justice'

The Times of India , Saturday, November 16, 2013
Correspondent : Ashok Pradhan,
BHUBANESWAR: Mauritius president Rajkeswur Purryag on Saturday expressed concern over global economic crisis, impact of climate change and suggested policy intervention for greater social justice. He stressed on investment in education.

Spelling out his idea of facing the looming economic crisis and tackling climate change, Purrryag said, "We must ensure that our policies open up avenues for greater social justice, with greater respect for human dignity, the environment and the needs of sustainable development."

Purrryag was delivering the convocation address at KIIT University. The university conferred honorary degree on him in recognition of his political acumen, and love and respect for India.

The visiting head of state advocated the need to build on positive gains of competition through innovation and efficiency and guard against the negative effects of destructive chase and liberalization. "Finance should be at the service of the economy, not the reverse," he said.

Purrayag said it would be wrong and dangerous to concentrate only on macro-economics to re-float the economy and recover some levels of previous growth, go back to business as usual and allow the greed of a small minority to continue indulging in speculative acts. It ultimately undermines the real economy. To do so would mean being oblivious to the social dimensions of the global crises which poor families and communities did not create but bear the highest human costs, he said.

It would also mean turning a blind eye to the consequences of climate change and irresponsible use of resources, which sustain our future and that of the coming generations. "In the face of these crises, we need to ensure a productive recovery through the promotion of sustainable economic activities," the Mauritius president said.

"We need to craft policies that stimulate a greening of production and consumption through new technology and clean energy approaches," he added.

Describing the investment in education as among the greatest investments, Purrryag said, "I value the benefits of education highly. For me, the first and last objective of life is education. And man has emancipated himself from the laws of the jungle through education," he said. There is powerful evidence that relates investments in education to employment and earnings.

He said human capital is increasingly regarded as an engine of economic growth and the need for a more equitable and egalitarian society.

Emphasizing the need for good quality education with changing times, the visiting head of state said, "One of the most effective means to manage change meaningfully and without losing our inner soul is education."

Total 2,769 students of 2012-13 graduating batch of KIIT University received their degrees at the convocation. Oliver Smithies, Nobel Laureate (Medicine-2007) and Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia, eminent artist, Sweden, were also conferred the degrees.

 
SOURCE : http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-17/bhubaneswar/44161594_1_climate-change-education-mauritius-president-rajkeswur-purryag
 


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