With the rise in internet usage and cloud-based systems, the country’s economy could face threats online, former President APJ Abdul Kalam said
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| Former President APJ Abdul Kalam releasing his book 'Squaring the Circle: Seven Steps to Indian Renaissance’ in Hyderabad on Thursday. To his left is Dr. D. Balasubramanian, Director of Research, LV Prasad Eye Institute. — Photo: Nagara Gopal |
Addressing
engineering graduates at the Military College of Electronics and
Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) at their convocation ceremony, Dr. Kalam
said cyber-attacks had the potential to cripple the Indian economy.
He
said the growth of internet technology and cloud-based systems in the
past few years had created room for cyber espionage and warfare. Nations
are electronically connected and everything is in digital form, which
will definitely attract attacks in cyberspace. Efforts to spread
awareness among police and other security agencies should be increased,
he felt.
On the economy
Dr.
Kalam hoped that the 600 million youth of the country would help India
become an economic powerhouse — one of the objectives of the Vision 2020
statement.
“Trouble began after 2008 when the GDP
[growth] was eight per cent. After that, GDP [growth] gradually began to
decrease due to economic problems in Europe and US. I still feel that
the young in India will work hard and take the GDP levels to more than
nine per cent,” he said.
Indigenous military technology
Fielding
questions from the audience, the Missile Man said that in another
decade, the use of indigenous military equipment will increase.
“At
the moment, only 50 per cent of our military equipment is indigenous.
In another one decade, our goal should 75 per cent,” he said.
Commenting on the present system of education, he said the government’s efforts should be at the primary level.
“Inspiring
creativity and excellence should only be at the primary level. At this
level, we should concentrate on preparing children for the future.
Education should not create degrees but produce persons who can generate
employment,” he suggested. Commandant, MCEME, Lt. Gen. S. M. Mehta and
other top officers were present on the occasion.
