Tuesday, February 28 2006 21:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi:: As India and the United States remained locked in hard bargaining to implement their nuclear deal, President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Feb 28,2006) favoured self-reliance in nuclear power programme and energy independence.

In a veiled criticism of sanctions imposed by developed countries following India's nuclear tests, he said the country's nuclear programme had been under technological denials for decades.

However, "Every one of the nuclear scientists and science leaders realised that the self reliance is the most promising route," he said.

"Nuclear scientists have always shown the country how nuclear technology can be used for increasing the agricultural produce, medical application and nuclear power generation," Kalam said on the occasion of the National Science Day.

Recalling his experience as chief of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) during the sanctions regime, he said, "Particularly the Light Combat Aircraft programme came to a halt because of collaborating countries breaking the agreements on the development contracts undertaken," Kalam said.

"I took an emergency meeting of the ADA Board and we formed a national team for LCA control system with 20 members drawn from seven organisations in the country with a two years project schedule," he said.

Kalam said "In 18 months, we realised a world class digital fly by wire control system for the LCA."

"Now four LCA aircraft are flying and 5th one is getting ready for flight tets.The batch production of LCA TEJAS is to commence," he said.

A large scale generation of power through nuclear fuel was vital for country's energy independence programme, Kalam said.

"Going critical of fast breeder reactor which is in an advanced stage of construction, development of advanced heavy water reactor (AHWR) and accelerator driven system (ADS) technologies have to be pursued in an intergarted way," he said.

Expressing confidence that India could attain the goal of energy independence well before 2030, he asked the country's scientists to specifically focus on research in the area of renewable energy sources.

But for this, share of power generated through renewable energy sources would have to be increased from existing five to 25 per cent and scientists would have to concentrate on research in areas of Carbon nano tube based solar cells, increasing bio-fuel oil content, efficient thorium-based nuclear fuel and efficient hydrogen fuel, Kalam said.

Kalam also recited a poem composed by him to send across a message to nuclear scientists,

"Nationally we have the best minds, Enlist the national team, The government and the people are with you, Progress with your vast knowledge and experience, You will suceed."

"Science leads to development of technologies. Availability of technologies leads to products," Kalam said encouraging scientists to make discoveries which will lead to development of new technologies and new cost effective products, thus improving the quality of life.