Aspire to become scientist-Kalam

From Sanjaya Jena in Bhubaneswar

President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has advised children, aspiring to be scientists to find out solutions to the problems faced by mankind, while inaugurating 13th National Childrens? Science Congress 2005. The Children'sScience Congress was held at campus of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Training (KIIT) at Bhubaneswar.

?There are many problems that we have to solve,? Kalam said while addressing the young children who had come from various parts of the country and even abroad.

?In Mumbai, we had heavy rains. In a few hours there was 900 mm of rain. We need a radar to find out when is a cyclone coming and its direction and intensity,? Kalam said.

?If you children are able to forecast earthquakes, then you can become Nobel laureates.? Dr Kalam said, urging the children to take up the gigantic task.

He also discussed India'sgrowing energy needs and the AIDS epidemic, stressing the need to develop an effective vaccine for the virus.

?India is blessed with solar power, which is cost-effective. Gas, oil and coal all come from fossil materials and will diminish in future. After that India will depend only on nuclear power and solar power,? he said.

Kalam also travelled to Balasore and attended the annual convocation of Fakir Mohan University there.

He later visited the National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research at Olatpur village in Cuttack district, and unveiled a radiotherapy unit at Hemalata hospital there.

Dr Kalam also inaugurated the campus of Imgenex Corporation, a biotechnology company.

The first citizen of India also visited Dhauli peace pagoda, without a preplanned agenda.

Thousands of people greeted the President with banners, balloons and rangoli painted on the roads both at Bhubaneswar and Balasore.