Kalam calls upon young scientists to make new discoveries

Majitar, Sikkim, Dec 27 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today said the world was faced with a number of environmental challeges and called upon ''child scientists'' to concentrate on research and make new scientific discoveries to meet these.

Delivering the inaugural address at the five-day-long 14th National Children Science Congress at the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT), the President said ozone layer depletion, reduction of glaciers and life span of the Sun and the source of energy were posing serious problems, which might cause devastation in future.

Dr Kalam called upon the young scientists to concentrate on research in three areas - nuclear power, bio-fuel and solar cell energy -- and make new scientific discoveries to develop clean energy, check pollution and protect environment.

He said the young scientists should work towards making new discoveries as only science and technology could convert India from a developing country to a developed one.

Dr Kalam said the nation faced many challenges like food shortages during the last two centuries and the leaders in science managed to solve them. The young and the creative minds should make new discoveries to solve the challenges faced now, he added.

He said youths constituted 50 per cent of the total population of the country.

The youths should take a pledge to acquire knowledge, defeat the problem and succeed.

Sikkim Governor V Rama Rao, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and eminent scientist Yashpal also spoke on the occasion.

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