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Kalam asks armament scientists to transform themselves

New Delhi, Feb 21 (UNI) The country's top armament scientists today got a wake up call from President APJ Abdul Kalam who asked them to "transform" themselves to cope with the need for long-range missiles with proven warheads, nuclear submarines and hypersonic cruise missiles in the next ten years.

Listing out his strategic vision on what India needed in the next 20 years, President Kalam -- himself a leading missile scientist told the Directors of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that the scientists had to gear themselves to developing a pilotless supersonic aircraft, military communication and reconaissance satellites, multi-role stealth fighter aircraft and an internationally competitive advanced main battle tank.

For this, the President -- delivering a 'special address' at the 31st Annual DRDO Directors' Conference here -- said the country's sole Defence Research and Development Organisation had to be completely "reorganised" into a competitive environment.

President Kalam's wake up call to the defence scientists followed closely Defence Minister AK Antony telling them that the nation could ill afford frequent cost and time overruns in the development of missiles, fighters and main battle tanks.

The function for the President's "special address" was boycotted by mediapersons after they were barred from entering the DRDO Bhavan venue by high-handed security personnel.

Mediapersons -- representing leading electronic and print media, who were being escorted by the Additional Principal Information Officer of the Defence Ministry, were not allowed inside the hall where President Kalam was to deliver a special address to leading scientists and chief controllers of various key defence research and development projects from DRDO, his old organisation.

All the journalists had the government's Press Information Bureau accreditation and were being escorted by key Defence Ministry officials when barred from entering DRDO Bhavan by security personnel.

UNI

Admiral Sureesh Mehta inaugurates 'Chatak Memorial'

Kochi, Feb 23 (UNI) Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta today inaugurated the 'Chatak Memorial' at the naval base here. Addressing the gathering, Admiral Mehta lauded the efforts of the Southern Naval Command to institute a memorial for the warship 'INS Chatak'. He expressed his hope that the memorial would be a source of inspiration for the young officers and sailors, and it would help civilians know more about the Navy and its history. The Navy acquired INS Chatak,.....

Day at Sea for Coast Guard in Porbandar tommorrow

Porbandar, Feb 25 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard will display its prowess at seas tomorrow at a ceremonial programme along the Porbandar coast. Gujarat Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma will fly down to witness the 'Day at Sea' exercises that will essentially comprise of the varied tasks that the Coast Guard performs at sea like anti-poaching and rescue operations. The 'Day at Sea' which is usually held on February 1 every year to celebrate the Coast Guard Day was delayed.....

IAF gifts MIG to Guru Nanak Dev University

Amritsar Feb 25 (UNI) The Indian Air Force has donated a Mig-23 aircraft to Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) for display and general awareness about the aircraft. The aircraft was today installed in front of the University library by a team of 15 engineers/ground staff of Air Force Station, Halwara led by Sqn Leader Harjinder Singh Marwaha. Giving details about the aircraft, Sqn Ldr Marwaha said that this aircraft has participated in the Kargil war. Vice-Chancellor Dr Jai Rup Singh.....
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