All polls should be held on the same day: Kalam

Lamenting that the country is busy in elections throughout the year, former president A P J Abdul Kalam said parliamentary, assembly and panchayat elections should be held on a single day.

Giving the keynote address at the IBN7 Diamond States Awards on Monday night, Kalam said, "Though holding all elections on the same day is an impractical dream but it can be achieved if the political leaders have the time. If the country will remain busy in elections all through the year, how can we ensure that the development will not be interrupted?"

Union Minister for Urban Development Jaipal Reddy said, "Dr Kalam's idea is desirable but it is utopian given the parliamentary constraints."

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal agreed with Dr Kalam's views. When asked for her opinion, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit quipped, ''I am ready for my own elections."

Kalam also opined, "Political leaders should act on themes of development. They can be great facilitators towards the development of the nation. The future voters will vote only for those who practice developmental politics."

The former president suggested several areas in various states which could be developed to achieve sustainability and growth.

He suggested the development of horticulture in Mizoram, Horticulture and Floriculture in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, creation of Nalanda University in Bihar, creation of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Madhya Pradesh and food processing in Karnataka.

"If done in an integrated way, all these fields would improve the human development index of their respective states,'' Dr Kalam said.

Kerala and Goa bagged five awards each at the IBN7 Diamond States Award ceremony.

Kerala won in Healthcare, Education, Women Empowerment and Basic Infrastructure category. Goa won in Employment, Poverty Reduction, Women Empowerment and Basic Infrastructure category.

Delhi won the best small state award for Water and Sanitation category. Other award winners included Punjab (Water and Sanitation) Gujarat (Employment), Mizoram (Education), Sikkim (Citizen Security and Justice), Uttaranchal (Citizen Security and Justice) and Jammu and Kashmir (Poverty Reduction) The winners were felicitated by the chief guest Dr Kalam.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi and Bangladeshi writer Tasleema Nasreen were also present on the occasion.

The awards were given in partnership with the Outlook magazine for human resource and social developmental efforts by the states of the country.