I have asked Centre to review N-plants: Kalam

Kalam was responding to a query from a class eight student on the recent radiation leak crisis in Japan and its consequences on India, at a function organised by the Agastya International Foundation.

He said the Fukushima nuclear power plant had suffered an unprecedented combination strike of being hit by a “shockload” due to an earthquake followed by a “sheerload” due to the devastating tsunami.

“Such a combination of double shock was not anticipated. The nuclear power plants in India are safe,” Kalam said.

Chief Secretary S V Ranganath announced that the State government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Agastya International Foundation to improve universal access, retention and achievement levels in select government schools in 15 most backward districts in the State.

Addressing the first convocation ceremony of Great Eastern Management (GEMS) business school of the Mysore Maharaja Institute of Higher Education and South Asia University at Bangalore Palace, Kalam told the 32 students who were passing out that
“what worked yesterday, won’t work today.” Giving an example, he said national resources defined power “yesterday, but today, it is knowledge.”

Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, the trustee of the school, said, eventually the institute would evolve into a university.

Sustainable development

Addressing the students of Kristu Jayanti College here, Kalam, while speaking of sustainable development in the context of the recent global economic downturn and natural calamities impacting human life and economic assets, said technology has brought the world together and there might very well be a new global order.