Kalam calls for tsunami warning system

President Kalam makes an important point when he underscores the need for academic involvement in analyzing these disasters. The disconnect and academic apathy towards real life problems in South Asia is disheartening.

Kalam calls for tsunami warning system
By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 29. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, called for a tsunami warning system along the entire Indian coastline on the lines of the one in the 27 Pacific nations, safeguarding them from distant source tsunamis.

``We can either have an Indian control centre that is connected to the Pacific tsunami warning centre or an indigenous integrated technological solution as a long term disaster management option,'' he suggested, addressing students of the University of Hyderabad from New Delhi over a videoconference, at its ninth convocation here on Tuesday.

In the 1970s, India had kept away from the Pacific tsunami warning system, which gives significant advance notice of the impending disaster to as many as 27 nations today, sometimes as much as three full hours.

``After an earthquake occurs beneath the seabed, it takes three hours for the dynamic waves of great height to build up. All communities within a three-hour travel time from the epicentre of the earthquake can be evacuated to safety thanks to the tsunami warning system. This only means that technologically there is a solution,'' Mr. Kalam said.

More challenges

He exhorted the Indian universities to work in tandem with the national research institutions, Indian Space Research Organisation, Departments of Science & Technology, Ocean Development and Atomic Energy to evolve an integrated technological solution in the form of sensor, communication system, networking and high intensity tidal wave warning system. ``Forewarning systems are a must to face the fury of nature,'' he said, adding that there were several such challenges on the national scene faced by the people in their day-to-day life.

The President underscored the need for university teachers and students to be sensitive to such grave national disasters and development needs to enable universities `productively' and directly participate in the welfare of the people.

Highlighting its immense research potential, the University Vice-Chancellor, a former colleague of Mr. Kalam and space scientist of repute, Kota Harinarayana, said the National Assessment and Accreditation Council of the University Grants Commission had awarded the university its highest rating on a five point scale qualifying it for a special UGC development grant of Rs. 30 crores for promoting research and interface studies.

While the university's research and development funding for 92 projects in the year 2000 was Rs. 15 crores, it had increased to Rs. 40 crores covering 160 projects this year. The University also signed as many as 127 Memoranda of Understanding with different public and private organisations.

The University Chancellor, Justice P.N. Bhagwati, conferred degrees on 3,687 graduates of which, 311 were Ph.Ds, 551 M.Phils, 290 M.Techs and 2,480 postgraduate degrees in various disciplines.