Freedom of thought and voice demands of 21st century: Minister

Panaji, Oct 12 (IANS)   The 21st century is controlled by popular will and demands freedom of thought and voice, Union Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar said on Thursday.

"The 21st century is becoming a century in which demand for freedom -- not only political, but freedom of thought, action, voice, from hunger, of aspirations, to hope, and to believe," Akbar said at the inaugural session of a three-day conclave on ocean security 'Sagar - Discourse 1.0'.

Akbar said a key salient feature of the 21st century was that its politics was controlled by popular will.

He said the phenomenon of cultural freedom was becoming increasingly dominant and important in the current global narrative.

"This is a century which belongs not to ruling elites, not to dynasts, but to the people and along with that freedom comes the economic aspects," he said.