There is no such thing as brain drain: Kalam

Aligarh, Jun 17 (UNI) Former president and missile man A P J Abdul Kalam today denied that brain drain is a roadblock in the country's development.

''There is no such thing as brain drain,'' Dr Kalam said, while addressing a crowd of 1400 in the Aligarh Muslim University here.

''The country produces around 24 million graduates while only 10 per cent go abroad for higher studies and employment opportunities,'' he said, adding the rest stayed here to cooperate in the country's development.

Stating that water, electricity and employment opportunities were the stumbling blocks in India's quest to accomplish the superpower status, he said, ''It was the responsibility of the country's educated youth to educate people if they want the country's development.'' Dr Kalam addressed 800 students from 37 schools during the session that lasted more than an hour on which he answered questions ranging from theories on extra territorial life to education and employment.

Asked about the need for exploring the ever expanding universe, Dr Kalam said, ''In the entire solar system, there are so many planets, sub planets and satellites. There is a possiblity that at least one of them will have life and we are yet to discover that.'' Reaffirming his belief in extra terrestrial life, Dr Kalam added, ''We would like to know whether we are alone and for that we have to explore the Universe.'' To a question about the quality of education getting costlier in India, he said initiatives were being taken to free primary education and it would be a reality in coming years.

He also urged private economic in the enthusiastic students at personal level and promoted his website www.abdulkalam .com among students, institutions and banks to provide education loans so that higher education could be made available to everyone.

Dr Kalam skirted political queries and said his stint with politics was as enriching as his tenure as a scientist. He, however, said he loved teaching and intended teaching for the rest of his life.

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