The Hindu : National : Scientists should help predict earthquakes, tsunamis: Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 06, 2005

National

National

Scientists should help predict earthquakes, tsunamis: Kalam

By Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD, JAN. 5. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today asked scientists to take up the challenge of predicting earthquakes and tsunamis to avert heavy loss of lives and property.

Addressing scientists and technocrats at the 92nd Indian Science Congress here today, Mr. Kalam said scientists, geologists, seismologists and even space technocrats would have to put their heads together to predict earthquakes on land and the seabed.

He disagreed with the belief that earthquakes cannot be predicted and said that in some of the countries quakes were successfully predicted when there was a noticeable increase in the background seismic activities. If foreshocks could be recognised early, giving a timely warning would save many lives.

Mr. Kalam said scientists and technologists should always ask themselves whether ``any part of my scientific work will have a positive impact on meeting the human needs?''

Referring to the problem of poverty and unemployment facing more than 260 million people in the country, he said the younger generation would love to live in a India of their dreams — without corruption, where everyone would get education, clean drinking water, assured power supply, good infrastructural facilities and guaranteed employment or any other means of livelihood.

Later Mr. Kalam had an interaction with 300 select students at the Gujarat Science City where he was asked questions ranging from India's missile technology to space satellite and the tsunami devastation.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National