Need for balance between development, environmental protection: President Pranab Mukherjee

PATNA: President Pranab Mukherjee today advocated a balance between development requirements and environmental protection, saying there is a need to learn lessons from the experiences of first green revolution.

Mukherjee, in his address while launching of Agriculture Roadmap of Bihar for the next five years, said, "Bihar should be the first destination for second agriculture revolution which missed eastern India".

Lauding Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his efforts to bring about a 'rainbow revolution' in agriculture, he said that he shared the optimism of the state Governor Devanand Kunwar that many more states will emulate the agriculture roadmap of Bihar.

"There is a need to ensure that farmers get immediate price of the produce and they should also get the share of the increased prices when the prices go up," the President, who is on his maiden visit to Bihar after assuming the high office in July, said.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Mukherjee said, "We must strike a balance between the need and greed", saying, "Mother earth can fulfil the need of everybody but not the greed of even one individual."

He also cautioned against attempts to achieve 'immediate results' and 'make a quick harvest', saying many issues are ignored in this process.

The President arrived here to a rousing welcome with people in large numbers lining the streets to welcome him as his cavalcade left the airport. Bihar Governor Devanand Konwar and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar received Mukherjee at the airport.

The President, who is scheduled to attend functions in Patna and Darbhanga, will be proceeding to Mumbai tomorrow before returning to the capital.