We need to fight terrorism together: Kalam

Warning that the constant threat of low intensity proxy war and terrorism has become a disturbing feature of national life and a new face of war, President A P J Abdual Kalam on Monday advocated a 'national approach' to eradicate terrorism in all forms and to provide citizens security.

Addressing the nation on the eve of 60th Independence Day, he, however, skipped any reference to the controversial issue of Office of Profit, a legislation on which is pending before him for assent.

Describing the issue of terrorism as one of national concern, the 75-year-old President said, "We should transcend individual differences of opinion and address it with a sense of unity. This is the need of the hour."

He referred to the recent Mumbai blasts and said the phenomenon of mindless violence was "continuously increasing."

Seeking intense cooperation among political, scientific, administrative and industrial communities, he said the time has come for them to comprehensively take stock of the entire situation in all sectors of security.

Commending a three-phased approach to comprehensive security, the President suggested to the government and to both Houses of Parliament to formulate a Citizens Security Bill with a national campaign for eradication of terrorism, formulate an Energy Independence Bill and adopt a resolution that India will be transformed into a safe, prosperous, happy and socio-economically developed nation before 2020.

Kalam, who had 'national awakening' as the theme of his 14-page address, said 'the constant threat of low intensity proxy war and terrorism have become a disturbing feature of national life. This constitutes the new face of war'.

Seeking synergising of multiple agencies for forecasting and dealing with terrorist activities, he said, "We need to evolve a National Campaign for Eradicate Terrorism in our nation with mission oriented integrated management structure and people's participation."

"It has been recognised that terrorism does not take place without any planning. This may be originating from a master plan with global umbilical connectivity extending to homes or hotels and guest houses," he said.

He said NCET would facilitate working together of the intelligence and security machinery both at the state and the central level to achieve desired objectives besides acting as an alert and dynamic movement which would prevent hotels and homes being used as a shelter by terrorists and extremists.

The President said the states could consider introduction of national identity cards and implement the National e-governance grid for all government to government, government to citizens, business to business and business to citizen transactions within two years time.

Emphasising that accelerated development has to be integrated with peace missions, Kalam said the economic security of border regions would itself become complemntary to territorial security required in these zones.

Touching on energy security, the President said that with cooperation of certain states, the country should aim to mine enough uranium.

Expressing the confidence that India has the capability to build its own thorium-based reactor, he said this would enable it to be self-reliant, secure and independent in nuclear energy.

Noting that the country was running out of oil and natural gas based on fossil fuel, he asked the nation to gear up for enhanced production of coal and clean coal technologies and reduce heavy depenedence on imports.

Contending that 75 percent of the 114 million tonnes of oil imported every year was used in the transport sector, he said "we have to concentrate on bio-diesel and renewable energies."

In harnessing solar energy, there was need to set up infrastructure and capabilities for a nano-technology resolution that has the potential to find solution for new forms of solar cells, more efficient, less costly and abundantly available, he said, adding 'our goal by 2030 is to generate 50,000 Mega Watt of power from renewable energy sources'.