Former President A P J Abdul Kalam called for a three-pronged approach to end terrorism, including eradication of poverty and introduction of value-based education.
BANGALORE: Former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Saturday called for a three-pronged approach to end terrorism, including eradication of poverty and introduction of value-based education.
"Value-based education in schools, consensus approach by all religions and eradication of poverty will help in putting an end to terrorism," he said while interacting with children after unveiling a health insurance scheme by a city-based NGO for underprivileged children here.
About whether expenditure on the ambitious Chandrayan mission was justified in view of many pending irrigation projects, he said "it is as necessary to spend money on missions like Chandrayana which will benefit mankind in the long run as also on irrigation projects".
In response to a question on how a peace-loving person like him was associated with missiles like Agni, Kalam said "such missiles are also for peaceful purpose. When other countries are equipping to protect themselves, we have to be vigilant".
Earlier, speaking at the function to unveil the scheme called 'Arogya Chethana' by Bangalore-based NGO Adamya Chethana, he called for the implementation of a comprehensive health insurance scheme for children.
Selected hospitals under the scheme should accord proper attention to the needy children when they approach them. The hospitals should also organise regular health check-up to prevent ailments, he said.
He suggested that to provide treatment to children suffering from heart diseases, the NGO could tie up with organisations like Little Heart Foundation in Hyderabad.
"Arogya Chethana", in partnership with New India Assurance Company Limited, covers hospitalisation costs of upto Rs 10,000 per child per year.
The transaction is cashless, Tejaswini Ananthkumar, wife of BJP MP, H N Anantkumar, the key person behind the NGO, said later.
A fund of Rs 10 lakh will be set aside by New India Assurance Company Limited for the purpose of covering expenses of major illnesses or surgeries.
The cost of the policy is Rs 35 per child per year. While chidren studying in government schools contribute Rs 10, her NGO will bear the remaining premium. The scheme covers 10,000 underprivileged children as on date, she said.
"Children studying between std one to ten anywhere in India an avail of this facility. They, however, have to approach through schools and the registration is done in Bangalore," Tejaswini said.
Every child insured under this policy will be given a Health Insurance ID card which must be produced at the time of admission in the hospital.
At present, 369 hospitals have tied up with the project, she said.
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