Friday, April 7 2006 19:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tumkur (Karnataka): President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Apr 07, 2006) highlighted the need for inculcating 'real education' among the youth, which focuses on development of humanism and promotes universal brotherhood.

It is a "journey through knowledge which opens up new vistas of development of humanism where there is no room for pettiness, disharmony or enmity," he said addressing the 99th birthday celebrations of Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math, here.

Universal brotherhood in its true sense becomes the 'sheet anchor' for such education, and if this is carried forward in every field of human activity, it will bring peace and harmony in the world, he said.

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.

He asked the student community not to accept any gifts, as by accepting gifts "the divine light in the person gets extinguished," he said.

The youth should not be carried away by any gift which comes with a purpose and through which one loses his personality greatly, he said.

Describing the Swamiji as a "beacon light and role model for the youth," he said the pontiff had made a laudable contribution in the field of rural education and welfare irrespective of caste or creed.

Presence of such souls spreads peace and promotes spiritual prosperity, Kalam said.