President APJ Abdul Kalam on Wednesday said that the country should shift its focus from attaining energy security to energy independence by increasing the use of solar, nuclear and biological energy.
"From energy security, we should graduate to energy independence by increasing the use of solar, nuclear and biological energy. It will be good for the environment," the President said at the closing ceremony of the sesquicentennial (150 years) celebrations of the Calcutta Girls High School in Kolkata.
Kalam was interacting with students after the function.
In reply to another question, Kalam said that he was against human cloning because it interfered with "millions of years of genetic engineering by the Almighty God."
Cloning of human body components should, however, be encouraged to help those needing transplants, he said.
Asked to give his views on the issue of introduction of quota in the institutes of higher learning, the President said, "There are 30,000 engineering seats lying vacant. I think reservation can be made meaningless by increasing the number of seats in the medical and management institutions."
On the role of the working woman vis-a-vis that of a homemaker, he said that the focus of both classes of women should be on enlightenment of their children.
"You can build a value-system in a child upto the age of 17 years. This is best done by the women. Of course, it is easier in a joint family system. But if you want a nuclear family, this may be difficult," he said.
On the role of the working woman vis-a-vis that of a homemaker, he said that the focus of both classes of women should be on enlightenment of their children.
"You can build a value-system in a child upto the age of 17 years. This is best done by the women. Of course, it is easier in a joint family system. But if you want a nuclear family, this may be difficult," he said.