Indian polity obsessed with past and ignorant about the future: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the political discourse in the country is obsessed with the past and ignorant about the future, and urged countrymen not to shy away in fear of some ghosts.

New Delhi, Sept 7 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the political discourse in the country is "obsessed with the past and ignorant about the future", and urged countrymen not to "shy away in fear of some ghosts".

Speaking on the occasion of book release ceremony in the national capital, Singh said: "This is, I believe, is India's moment, let us not dither; let us not shy away in fear of some ghosts in our mind so that India may truly make its tryst with destiny."

He said that country needs people who can think into the future and look at the future challenges and take the country forward.

"If we remain divided, defensive, disruptive in our discourse, our children and our grand children will not forgive us," he said, adding," They will find us wanting in the scale of history for not having had the courage to grapple with the real challenges of our time."

The book, `Abhinandan Granth - Kalpavraksh' has been written in honour of Balram Jakhar, and was released by the President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil here today.

Singh praised Jakhar, who celebrated his 85th birth anniversary, saying, "His (Jakhar's) wisdom, his knowledge and his vast experience are truly a great national asset."

ANI