Here is a news item for everyone to see. The reason for Dr Kalam's change of opinion is unknown or may be fear :) N-deal pact will not provide the right fuel: Kalam UNI Monday, February 04, 2008 20:28 IST
KOCHI: Stressing that India should strive for 'energy independence' and not 'energy security', former President APJ Abdul Kalam on Monday said Uranium, which forms the crux of the Indo-US civilian nuclear pact, was not the right nuclear fuel for the country. Addressing a function here to mark the 150th anniversary of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Kalam said India did not have sufficient Uranium reserves and should instead focus on the abundant Thorium. As Thorium was not a fissile material, the country's scientists were working on the fast breeder reactor technology to enable use of Thorium for nuclear power, he added. Citing a World Energy Forum report stating that fossil fuels would be scarce in another 60 years, Dr Kalam said India should move away from fossil fuels and focus on an energy mix of solar power, nuclear power and bio-fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel. This mix would have the advantage of being based on renewable and clean energy sources, he said.
