The Hindu Business Line : Kalam stresses on convergence of nano-bio-info technologies

The President, Mr A.P. J. Abdul Kalam, with the CII President and ITC Group Chairman, Mr Y.C. Deveshwar, at a meet in Kolkata on Wednesday. — A. Roy Chowdhury

Kolkata , July 13

THE President of India, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, has urged academicians to take advantage of the convergence of the three new streams of science and technology, namely, information technology, nanotechnology and biotechnology.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 150-year-old Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur (BESU), known popularly as Shibpur BE College.

The convergence of these technologies, Mr Kalam said, would help in the advancement of healthcare. In this context, he spoke of his visit to the Lausanne-based Brain & Mind Research Laboratory and the Nanotechnology Laboratory of Federal Institute of Technology.

He said these laboratories are working in the areas of brain neuron characterisation to enable activation of ineffective neurons in the brain, particularly for mentally challenged children.

"This Nano-Bio-Info combination will be the future technology and solution to give advanced diagnosis and advanced healthcare. BESU must address these research areas related to nano-bio-info technologies and products", Mr Kalam said.

He said the national goal for economic development would be uplifting people surviving below the poverty line. According to him, this could be achieved if India's GDP grows at 10 per cent for the next decade.

He identified five sectors that could propel such economic growth. The first is agriculture and food processing followed by reliable and quality electric power supply, surface transport and infrastructure for all parts of the country.

The third crucial sector is education and healthcare, the fourth information and communication technology and the strategic sector. "These five areas are closely inter-related and if well done would lead to food and economic security and national security", the President added.

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