Top Indian scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has suggested that his idea of providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) be implemented in Bangladesh to achieve "sustainable development” in the Asia-Pacific region.

This method envisages four types of connectivity- - physical, electronic and knowledge connectivity, leading to economic connectivity — that create rural entrepreneurship, said the former Indian president at a function in the capital onThursday.

He focused on the rural areas as around two-thirds of the world's 3 billion rural population live in the Asia-Pacific region and most of them were involved in agriculture. But these people face challenges of low per capita resources, and were vul-

nerable to climatic change, poverty, inequalities and social disparities.

The nuclear scientist placed the idea in his lecture on "Sustainable Development System for Asia Pacific" at the 33rd Foundation Day celebration of Cirdap (Centre for Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific) at its auditorium.

At the programme, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said it was crucial to provide urban amenities to the villagers,

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keeping the basic structure of the villages intact.

The PURA strategy has currently been operational in several states of India for the last few years.

“The villages must be connected within themselves and with the main towns and metros through good roads and wherever needed, by railway communications. There must be other infrastructure like schools, colleges, hospitals and amenities for the local population and the visitors. This is physical connectivity,” he explained.

Elaborating electronic connectivity, the 81-year-old scientist said the villages have to have access to good education from the best teachers, medical treatment and the latest necessary information, mainly about agriculture, fishery, horticulture and food processing.

“In the emerging knowledge era, the native knowledge has to be preserved and enhanced with the latest tools of technology, training and research," Abdul Kalam told the gathering of economists and development practitioners from the Asia-

Pacific region.

Once physical and electronic connectivity were in place, the knowledge connectivity would be enabled to help increase productivity, utilise spare time, make people aware of health welfare and ensure markets of products, he said.

“Knowledge connectivity progresses core competence of rural environment with addition to technology. Hence, these three connectivity tools integrate the way leading to economic connectivity,” Abdul Kalam said.

“When we provide urban amenities to rural areas, we can lead to uplift of rural areas, attract investors, and introduce effectively useful systems like micro-finance and small-scale industries,” he added.

In translating the idea, the noted scientist said, local resources and competencies had to be given the highest priority. Giving an example, he said, Khulna region of Bangladesh was rich in jute, bamboo and biodiversity. Therefore, industries based on jute and bamboo, and eco-tourism surrounding the Sundarbans could be the best options there, he illustrated.

Land holdings in the region were of small sizes, said Abdul Kalam suggesting that creation of farmers' cooperative movements, facilitating mechanised farming, silo storage, value addition and marketing of agro-products were necessary to utilise the limited scope.

"When farmers' production increases, these cooperatives on behalf of the individual farmers will forecast and establish networks with markets to facilitate rapid movement from farm-gate to optimal shelves across the nation and the world.”

He said the agricultural education system for the scientists, extension workers and farmers should highlight this thinking in their syllabus.

Responding to a query on the region's water-sharing issue, Abdul Kalam said water was not scarce in this region, but its management. "Regional cooperation is a must to this end,” he pointed out.

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Secretary Mihir Kanti Majumder and Cirdap Director General Durga P Paudyal also spoke.