Terror, Naxalism are challenges to nation: Manmohan
New Delhi, April 04: Identifying terrorism, Naxalism and communalism as challenges to the nation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the "ferocity" of these "disturbing and disruptive" elements has to be understood and ways should be devised to defeat these. He also voiced concern over recent developments in Pakistan and other neighbouring countries, saying South Asia is in "turmoil" and India's development is affected by the events in the region. "There are today forces which seek to destabilise our economy and polity," Singh said addressing the IAS probationers at his residence here. "There are threats of terrorism. There are threats of Naxalism.... We must also recognise that communalism and religious hatred can be very disruptive element," he said. Underlining that "ferocity of these disturbing, disruptive elements" needed to be understood, Singh said, "we must devise ways and means how we can equip our economy, polity" to meet these challenges. He asked the budding bureaucrats to be "alive to the dangers of communalism, of casteism, or regionalism" and work for unity and integrity of the country. Turning to the situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister said, "We are today faced with a neighbourhood which is far from peaceful." He referred to the developments in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and said, "They all impinge on our development." Observing that "South Asia is in turmoil", Singh said while planning for India's development, "we have to be mindful of the environment within which we have to operate". He told the IAS probationers that there were "enormous opportunities but also enormous challenges" before them. Commenting on governance, Singh highlighted that there was a growing concern over corruption in public life and civil servants not being mindful of their duties. " There are many areas where governance is not keeping in contact with the requirements of the situation," he said. The Prime Minister also drew the attention of the civil servants to the "great threat of fragmentation" being faced by the national polity and asked them to work for inclusive development and integrity of the country. Emphasising the need for development with a "human touch", he said it should pay attention to the well-being of all sections of society and look to the future of India with hope and confidence while being mindful of the pitfalls that might derail the process. Bureau Report