: Defence Minister A K Antony today stressed the importance of formulating policies in tune with changing times, saying the country's political leadership should strive to understand hopes and aspirations of the new generation to help them realise their dreams.
Inaugurating work on South India's first Science City at nearby Kuravilangad, he said that instead of remaining in a 'time warp, 'politicians and all those occupying key positions should try to understand the thinking of the young generation and help them fulfil their dreams.
"The young generation longs for rapid growth, reforms and progress. If politicians remain with the same old mindset dating to 50 or 60 years, it will be difficult for them to know how the new generation thinks and what their hopes and aspirations are," he said.
Noting that human resources are India's biggest asset, he said it is important to tap this huge potential for the advancement of the entire country.
Antony lauded Lok Sabha member from Kottayam, Jose K Mani for taking the imitative to bring such a major "new generation project" to his constituency.
The Rs 100-crore project, sponsored jointly by the state and the Centre, is the fourth science city in the country and the first in the South.
The 30-acre campus will have a wide range of displays and interactive facilities to enthuse not only scientists, researchers and students, but also tourists and lay visitors.
In the first phase, it will have an observatory, space theatre, science art gallery, facilities for interactive presentations using animation, graphics and laser technologies, a 3-d theatre and seminar halls.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy presided over the function. Finance Minister K M Mani, Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb and ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan were present on the occasion.
