The Hindu Business Line : Kalam calls for water mission

WITH the country faced with the worst-ever drought in the last 15 years, the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today mooted a "water mission'' that would ensure availability of water across the country throughout the year.

"It is paradoxical to see floods in one part of our country while some other parts face drought. This drought-flood phenomenon is a recurring feature. The need of the hour is to have a water mission'', Dr Kalam said in his address to the nation on the eve of the 55th anniversary of the country's Independence.

A water mission will enable availability of water to the fields, villages, towns and industries throughout the year even while maintaining environmental purity.

Dr Kalam highlighted that the major part of the water mission would be the networking of the country's rivers. "Technological and project management capabilities of our country can rise to the occasion and make this river networking a reality with long-term planning and proper investment. In addition, the vast sea around us can help by providing potable water through desalination as a cost-effective technology'', the President said.

India also needs a second vision - after the first vision of creating a movement to achieve freedom - that will integrate people from all walks of society towards a common purpose of transforming itself into a developed nation from the present status of a developing country.The transformation can be achieved through integrated actions simultaneously in the areas of agriculture and food processing, education and healthcare, infrastructure development including power, information and communication technologies and critical technologies.

"This greater vision will aim to alleviate poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. When the minds of the people of our country are unified and fused towards the vision, the dormant potential will manifest as a mammoth power leading to a happy and prosperous life of a billion people. This vision of the nation will also remove the conflicts arising out of differences and small thinking'', Dr Kalam said.

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