New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Dec 11, 2003) said the country could not have inter- State barriers or inter-regional curbs that would snap the threat of unity.

"Freedom to move, freedom to think and freedom to express are ingrained in the freedom to live, it is also enshrined in the Constitution," he said, inaugurating a function to mark the 200th session of Rajya Sabha.

Kalam wanted MPs to become ambassadors for the missions for 'Vision 2020' for a developed India.

"When the Rajya Sabha is celebrating its 200th Session, what can be a better mission for the people's representatives than to combat the poverty of 260 million people out of one billion and lead them to prosperity," he asked.

Kalam sprang a surprise on the august audience in the Central Hall of Parliament by starting his speech in Hindi, a move, which drew instantaneous applause from the gathering.

PTI