Stringent laws must to counter terrorism: Kalam

Ahmedabad, Sep 13 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today got support, albeit indirectly, for his campaign for GUJCOC, in the form of former president A P J Kalam who advocated stringent laws and faster justice system to eradicate terrorism in the country.

Dr Kalam is in the city to take class at the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), organised between September 13 and November 27, on energy security and water conservation among other key issues.

Addressing newspersons, Dr Kalam said that public awareness is essential to counter terrorism. The person who takes part in terrorist activities is also a member of a family and society at large. Good people should behave responsibly and immediately infrom authorities if they find any such elements among them.

Defending India's nuke deal with US, the former president said that the country lacks sufficient amount of uranium and it is needed for the nuclear reactors. The nuke deal with US will ensure a committed supply of uranium to the reactors.

''Our scientists are working on thorium-based reactors.

Once they are able to make a positive headway in research, the country will not need uranium,'' he said.

Speaking on the energy options for the country, Mr Kalam advocated promoting usage of thorium-based nuclear reactors in the country as India has abundant reservoirs of thorium along the coastal regions and also stressed on the use of alternative sources of energy.

Explaining his vision, he said a nation where there is an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water, where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony and where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination.

Earlier, taking a class on Globalising and Resurgent India through Innovative Transformation (GRIT) course, he called upon the IIM-A students not to restrict themselves to the business world but enter the public sphere and provide quality governance to the common man.

The course is in tune with Mr Kalam's vision for India-2020.

UNI HT SSS LS AS2042