India must focus on renewable energy: Kalam

30 March 2009

Former Indian President A P J Abdul Kalam has said that India needs to be energy independent through renewable energy sources by 2030 if it is to reach its development goals.

Speaking at a function in Dubai to launch 'India Matters', a monthly magazine being brought out by the Consulate General of India in Dubai, on Sunday evening, he suggested that there is a need for showcasing Indian developments to the world.

''I would like to suggest in your issues the publication of case studies in promoting business and science and social activities for mutual benefit to India and Gulf countries. During the next decade India will have challenges which will propel a number of business opportunities,'' he said.

Kalam also called for contributions from expatriates to beat the economic crisis. ''Indians living abroad are bubbling with ideas and energy of how they can help India,'' Kalam said. ''This should be channeled in the right direction.'' There are around 1.5 million expatriate Indians in the UAE.

He called for innovative thinking about the economy and urged the Indian government to focus on agriculture. ''The Indian economy would not be largely affected by the (global) crisis,'' he said. ''However, the effect would be seen in reduction of exports and outsourcing. Here we need innovation in thinking to pull us out of crises.''

Kalam, 77, is also recognised as a prime mover of India's nuclear, missile and satellite programmes.