People running the show shouldn't write history books: Kalam

Says history books should be written by people of academic excellence

The controversy over rewriting of history textbooks notwithstanding, former President A P J Abdul Kalam says fair research is needed in this regard and any such rework attempt should not be made by "people running the show" but by people of academic excellence.

He is also of the view that value-based education and proper parenting can help in curbing crime by juveniles.

"History books were mostly written by the rulers who ruled this country. So one must do research, fair research, and find what had historically happened," he says.

"Books must be well researched and properly written. They should not be written by people who are running the show but by people of academic excellence," the 83-year-old Kalam, who was India's 11th President from 2002-2007, told PTI in an interview.

He, however, feels that books related to science and technology need to be updated frequently as new information is "coming everyday".

"Science and technology has made great progress. A few decades ago, no one knew about Internet. But now we have to add that. Now a new type of communication is coming - 95 Ghz W band. So the syllabus has to be updated as technology changes, methodology changes," Kalam, who was conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1997, says.

He has come up with a new book "Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future", co-authored by his close aide Srijan Pal Singh. The book provides several nuggets of his life besides advice for young people on careers in areas like robotics, aeronautics, neurosciences, pathology, paleontology and material sciences.

On curbing crime by juveniles, he says value-based primary education, good parenting and knowledge from teachers are very important.

Kalam says that the biggest challenge for the scientific community is earthquake prediction. For this, an integrated team of geologists, material scientists, physicists, and remote sensing satellite experts, rock formation experts and oil exploration experts has to be formed.

"Research has to be done using multiple parameters. It has to be a combination of geology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and information technology," he says.

"This is a big challenge. But going by the damage caused by earthquakes, research is very much essential. A multi-nation effort is required," Kalam says.