Need second freedom struggle against hunger and disease: President

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) The nation needs a second freedom struggle to ensure that India is free forever from hunger, disease and poverty, President Pranab Mukherjee said Tuesday.

"We need a second freedom struggle; this time to ensure that India is free forever from hunger, disease and poverty," the president said in his Independence Day eve address.

He said while education is the seed, economy is the fruit and if education is provided, hunger, disease and poverty will recede.

He said this is possible if the young are given the chance.

"We are a nation that is becoming younger both in age and spirit, this is an opportunity as well as a challenge. The young thirst for knowledge that will lift their skills; and for opportunity that will put India on the fast track to the first world. They have the character, they need the chance," he added.

"Education is the seed; and economy is the fruit. Provide good education; disease, hunger and poverty will recede," he said.

"As I said in my acceptance speech; our motto must be : All for knowledge and knowledge for all. Vision cannot be an open-ended vista; it must be focused on our youth," he added.