Address At The Presentation Of Jawaharlal Nehru Award For International Understanding-2005, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi : 22-03-2007
Nurture Nature for the Future
"Let us build our blue planet with beautiful minds"
I am indeed delighted to confer the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding to Prof Wangari Muta Maathai of Kenya, who is internationally recognized for her persistent and courageous struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation. As we honour Prof Maathai with the Jawaharlal Nehru Award, I am reminded of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's visionary words on nuclear disarmament in 1961 during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. He said, "we are quite unable to get out of old ways of thinking which ought to have no place in the modern world, old ways of hatred and violence of yesterday but a violence which could exterminate all of us, not realizing that there is no victory today for any country in a major war - only defeat and extermination for all". This thought is applicable to the humanity even today as we are confronted with problems of development in the midst of inequalities and fast deteriorating environment. It is necessary for creating a climate in which human talent and creativity could be forged for the greater benefit of all humankind. This is where Prof Wangari Maathai's passion for environment and bio-diversity contributes to the sustainable development and growth of planet Earth.
Nurturing Environment
One important question is, how do we protect our Earth by protecting the atmosphere. Noble Laureate Prof Maathai has evolved innovatively a movement with 600 community networks across Kenya and branches in 20 countries resulting in the plantation of 31 million trees. The mission of Prof Maathai has to spread to all parts of the planet.
Building a Future
Prof Maathai gives a new meaning to the important act of planting a tree by extending it to the whole life, when she says, "the planting of trees is the planting of idea." She highlights the qualities of patience, persistence and commitment in planning and realizing a future, which is what we learn when we plant trees and wait for them to yield fruits for the next generation. She believes that no matter how dark the cloud, there is always a thin, silver lining, and that is what we must look for. The silver lining will come, if not to us then to the next generation or the generation after that. And may be with that generation, the lining will no longer be thin.
Energy Independence
As we are honouring one of the leading environmentalists of our time, I would like to share with you what I read in a recent article in the "New Scientist" which mentions about dumping of 30 billion tonnes of carbon-di-oxide into the atmosphere by all the nations every year. This dumping primarily arises due to the use of fossil fuels which directly affects the ozone layer in the atmosphere. I believe that the solution for this is by resolving to realize energy independence through the use of large proportion of renewable energy by all countries.
In respect of India, we visualize that the power generating capacity has to increase to 400,000 MW by 2030 from the existing hundred and thirty thousand Megawatts. Energy independence has got to be achieved through three different sources namely hydel capacity, nuclear power and non-conventional renewable energy sources such as solar energy. India will be willing to share our experiences with other nations.
Conclusion
India values Prof Maathai's involvement and contribution in furthering the relationship between our two countries. We are, therefore, indeed privileged to honour you today as a true friend of India, an outstanding leader of Kenya, a symbol of empowered women of the world and a great environmentalist. As we confer the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for the year 2005 upon you, Prof Maathai, on behalf of the people of India, let me extend my warmest congratulations and good wishes to you and through you to the people of Kenya.
May God bless You.