Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Oct 2: Noted columnist, veteran journalist and former chairman of Prasar Bharati, M V Kamath, urged the union government to treat the United Nations Organization (UN) with contempt and totally ignore it. He advised India to put in efforts to form separate continent-level UN for Asia and other continents, and give impetus to the thought of region-centric development.
He was speaking after taking part in the mock UN session organized by the students of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) Manipal, at the MIT library auditorium on Thursday October 1 in the capacity of the guest of honour.
Kamath, who also has the experience of working as a UN reporter in the past, said that only countries having clout have a say in the affairs of the UN. "The UN could do nothing to stop the aggression of Hitler, Mussolini and Pakistan's attack on India. The UN failed to do anything to stop these things," he remarked.
Kamath felt that the permanent seat India could have bagged in the Security Council of the UN, went to China because of the liberal policies followed by the then Prime Minister, Jawarharlal Nehru. He noted that China neither has respect nor gratitude about this Indian gesture and it always takes a tough stance that is always against Indian interests, he noted. "The UN is under the clutches of the USA. The UN has become irrelevant. India should desist from stubbornly following up with its request for a seat in the UN Security Council, as this is a matter of right for the country. The fact that India, during its 10,000 years of history, has desisted from invading any other country, speaks for its self control and high values, Kamath explained.
Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax Commissioner from Mangalore, Arvind Singh, who inaugurated the session, opined that there is a need to give more impetus for areas like basic amenities, education, health, marketting efficiency, research etc., in the global scenario of economic downturn.
MIT director Dr Somanath Mishra welcomed. Mock UN secretary Prateek Kumar proposed vote of thanks. 180 delegates from 103 colleges across the country are taking part in the programme.