IN QUEST OF UTOPIA

FOREWORD... T HE author of the speeches in this book, Mrs. Daggubati Purandeswari, is the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development. She hails from an illustrious family of politicians and film personalities in Andhra Pradesh. She has joined politics only recently. Her entry into the Lok Sabha [alternatively titled, the House of the People] coincided with the growing trend at the national level of young, but highly qualified, persons entering public life. They are well educated, highly articulate and equip themselves with necessary facts and figures before they speak. The speeches in this book offer clear evidence of this. Her elevation to ministership shortly after she became a Member of Lok Sabha is another indicator. There are 82 speeches in this book. They cover diverse subjects such as education, women, youth, health, child abuse, agriculture, science and technology, environment, economic development, transparency, astrology, Indian culture and music. The connecting thread between all these subjects is their relevance to our times. One cannot neglect any of them, lest a balanced advancement of our society may get inhibited. Without belittling her contributions to the other subjects, I wish to state that the several speeches of the author on different aspects of education make compelling reading. The author is a major policy-maker in the field of education and it is heartening to see that she displays a full understanding of the role of education in the economic and social development of our country. A large number of speeches do not go more than 3 printed pages. Speeches delivered on occasions meant for general public should necessarily be brief. What is important is whether a speech has successfully conveyed its message. There is no doubt that the author has accomplished her mission. I do not intend to deal with the author's perceptions on the subjects covered in the book or review their contents. I wish, however, to indicate the special features of the book that attracted my attention. In her speeches, she refers to the need for eschewing a restrictive mindset. She underlines, what the Constitution calls, the duty of every citizen "to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform". She urges the society to move towards "a global orientation". She declares that, in the pursuit of excellence, "equity should not be brushed aside".