Implement river-linking project with a 'sense of urgency'

Addressing the nation on the eve of 59th Independence Day, the First Citizen stressed the need for achieving "Energy Independence" by evolving a comprehensive renewable energy policy and accelerating research for forecasting earthquakes.

"While we are celebrating 59th anniversary of our hard-earned political independence, we have to remember the sufferings of our people affected by the recent rains and floods in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa," Kalam said in his address which entirely focussed on science and technology aspects.

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Reminding that Mumbai and other areas of Maharashtra had borne the brunt of nature's fury, he said "rainfall and floods are annual features in many parts of the country."

He emphasised that "instead of thinking about inter-linking of rivers only at times of flood and drought, it is time that we implement this programme with a great sense of urgency.

"We need to make an effort to overcome various hurdles in our way to the implementation of this major project. I feel that it has the promise of freeing the country from the endless cycle of floods and droughts."

Pointing out that earthquakes were another natural phenomenon that affects and causes damages of high magnitude without pre-warning in many parts of the country, the renowned Scientist-President said there was a need to "accelerate research" for forecasting quakes.

Research work on earthquake forecasting is being done in many countries, Kalam said. In India also there should be an integrated research team consisting of experts drawn from academia, meteorology and space departments for creating earthquake forecast modelling using pre-earthquake and post-earthquake data collected from various earthquake occurrences in the country, he added.

This can be validated periodically with the proven forecasting data available from other countries, he said.

Kalam noted that in the wake of successive calamities driven by nature across the world, many countries have started pursuing inter-disciplinary area of research, known as Earth Systems Science.

It, he said, is fast emerging as an area of convergence between earth, climate, ocean, environment, instrumentation and computer sciences.

"I strongly suggest that India should mount a programme in this emerging area of Earth Systems Science. This will call for a dedicated, cohesive and seamless integration between researchers in multiple areas an in multiple organisations," he said.

Delving upon the issue of energy, Kalam said: "Energy Independence" has to be India's "first and highest priority" and the country must be determined to achieve this within the next 25 years.

"This one major 25-year national mission must be formulated, funds guaranteed and leadership entrusted without delay as public-private partnerships to our younger generation, now in their 30's, as their lifetime mission in a renewed drive for nation-building," he said.

Noting that India has 17 per cent of the world's population but just 0.8 per cent of the world's known oil and natural gas resources, he emphasised the need for developing "energy security", considering it is the lifeline of modern societies.

"Energy security, which means ensuring that our country can supply life-line energy to all its citizens, at affordable costs at all times, is thus a very important and significant need and is an essential step forward," he said.

"But it must be considered as a transition strategy to enable us to achieve our real goal, that is Energy Independence or an economy which will function well with total freedom from oil, gas or coal imports," Kalam said.