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Go To Index Page Kalam call for focus on herbal medicines Imphal: President APJ Abdul Kalam on Monday called for a greater focus on research on development of herbal medicinal products, saying the entire North-East, and Manipur in particular, was known for its rich bio-diversity. Addressing the convocation ceremony of Manipur University here, Kalam said that the University must marshal its resources to develop a database of bio-diversity resource available in the State and should suggest how best to use it "economically without causing environmental degradation". "Research on development of herbal medicinal products needs greater focus. I visualize Manipur state having herbal farms and also transform herbs to drugs. Manipur should aims to have a pharma company. This would help in providing employment opportunities to our youths and give fillip to industrialization in the state," he said. Kalam said that Manipur University has to be known for scientific research and teaching in this region. "This has to be consolidated and the expanded research areas of the Manipur University must be linked to the priorities of the state and the nation," he added. Speaking about capacity building, he said that a good educational model was the need of the hour to ensure that the students grew to contribute towards the economic growth of the nation. "Normally, research, technology and performance in the three sectors namely agriculture, manufacturing and services lead to economic growth. Can we sow the seeds of capacity building among the students?" said the President. The capacities, which are required to be built, are research and enquiry, creativity and innovation, use of high technology, entrepreneurial and moral leadership, Kalam said. Pointing out that in the present WTO regime of "globalisation, liberalization and removal of trade barriers," exploration of border trade links with the neighbouring countries were on the rise, he said that the university could consider taking up special courses to facilitate border trade. "Manipur shares its borders with Myanmar and the other North- eastern states with Bhutan, Tibet, China and Bangladesh. The university can consider taking up special courses to facilitate border trade," he said. He went on to say that research projects seeking to produce a wealth of useful data in evaluating trade prospects in selected sectors to enhance economic opportunities for the people "ought to be encouraged". Kalam further emphasised the need for launching courses in the foreign languages spoken in the neighbouring countries of the North-East, saying language often acts as a barrier to trade. "It will be highly meaningful if the university can consider launching certificate and diploma courses in the foreign languages spoken in the neighbouring countries to impart the requisite linguistic proficiency and skill amongst students," said the President. Kalam,
who arrived on a three-day visit to the North-East yesterday night,
will also address the convocation ceremony of the Assam University at
Silchar on Tuesday. Later, he will visit a hen and duck-rearing farm
in Assam's Gumaria village at Sonapur block in Kamrup District. The
farm was formed by women Self-Help Groups. He will then move to Assam's
silk industry at Saulkuchi village where he will interact with the weavers.
On the same day, the President will inaugurate a three-day national
workshop-cum-exhibition on 'Commercialisation of Bio- diesel in North
East' at Pragjyoti ITA Centre for Performing Arts, Machkhowa in Guwahati.
The workshop is being organised by the North Eastern Development Finance
Corporation (NEDFI) for three-days. The objective of the workshop is
to chalk out a road map for commercial use of Bio-Diesel and to sort
out all policy and regulatory issues. Experts in the field of Jatropha
cultivation, post harvesting management, processing, marketing, financing
and linkages from all over the country will participate in the workshop.
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