Udhampur (JK): Justifying the making of a missile system, President A P J Abdul Kalam today (May 3, 2004) said the manufacture of weapons was necessary not only for Defence purposes but also for peace and development.

"Nobody will give us missiles and it is essential to defend our country and that is why missiles have been made," he told students of Army public school, Udhampur during an interactive session.

"Weapons are imperative for the Defence of the country, whose history is replete with invasions from the time of Alexander to Mughal emperors and later by the French and the British."

Only when peace prevails can there be development and prosperity, the missile man explained.

He said India has abundant Thorium, which can be utilised for the development of the nation.

Recalling the contributions of eminent scientists like Dr C V Raman and Dr Subramaniam, he asked the children to draw inspiration from them.

"For this you need to have an indomitable spirit", he said and added that if one has a strong will power, he could overcome problems in life and be successful.

Asking the tender minds to develop leadership qualities, he spoke of his oft-repeated goal of seeing India as a developed nation with achievements in education, information technology and other scientific technologies.