Free Turning Points by A P J Abdul Kalam Page A

directions in the research and development of nanoscience technology and its potential applications in areas like agriculture, medicine, space and energy. These discussions prompted me to host a full-day conference in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The discussions and recommendations eventually resulted in a coordinated programme with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore. This programme led to several important advances and innovations. For example, I was delighted to learn that scientists from the Banaras Hindu University had devised a simple method to produce carbon nano-tube filters thatefficiently remove micro- to nano-scale contaminants from water and heavy hydrocarbons from petroleum. The scientists and technologists of Delhi University in partnership with a private company, Dabur, have successfully developed a drug delivery system that directly targets tumour cells.
    Efficient, result-oriented and transparent governance is a prerequisite for a developed India and our progress as a knowledge society. An integrated system with a decentralized set-up at the state, district, and village level is essential for this. The planning and implementation of this requires a concerted effort from the central and state governments as well as private and public sector participation. Keeping this in mind, an e-governance conference was held with the participation of the concerned agencies. We also introduced a system of e-governance in Rashtrapati Bhavan. I have addressed the judiciary, audit agencies and many other sectors on this subject. A presentation was also made to the Commonwealth meet, which was well appreciated. It is my hope that an e-governance system with smart identification cards for each citizen will make for effective services and will also contribute to our fight against extremism and terrorism.
    I believe that the two key areas that will be sources of conflict in the future are water and energy. One of the governors’ conferences addressed the water issue in terms of maintenance of water bodies, conservation of this resource and the networking of rivers both within states and nationally. I have been propagating energy independence from fossil fuels as the need of the hour. One key initiativein this regard is developing biofuel. To highlight this and to consider all aspects of the initiative in an integrated way we hosted a conference at Rashtrapati Nilayam. Among others, the conference was attended by farmers who have experience in this field and are also potential users. The vice chancellors of agricultural universities explained the research on different aspects like seed characteristics and irrigation needs of plants which could be used as sources of biofuel. Government officials raised issues related to allotment of non-fertile lands. Automobile designers talked about a mix of biofuel and diesel that could be used without any changes in engine design and the changes required if the percentage of biofuel used were to be higher. Business representatives talked about investments and breakeven points. I presented my concept for the use of biofuel. At the end of the conference recommendations were drawn up and circulated to the concerned parties. I am glad that a biofuel policy has now been evolved.
    In addition to these three conferences, there was another technological event which germinated from Rashtrapati Bhavan.

    In 2006, the then chairman of ISRO briefed me on his future space plans including the Chandrayaan mission to explore the moon, which I am sure is just the first step towards further planetary explorations and manned missions. Regarding the proposed moon mission, he told me that the spacecraft would orbit the moon and transmit scientificinformation on the chemical, mineralogical and geological characteristics of the heavenly body. He also told me that the mission would carry a variety of scientific instruments, which ISRO was in the process of finalizing. I suggested that the mission could include a combined entry package