India elects missile scientist as president

A MISSILE scientist who advocates nuclear weapons as a war deterrent was elected India's president yesterday.

APJ Abdul Kalam won 89.58% of the votes cast by 4,896 members of the national parliament and the state legislatures. The only other candidate was Lakshmi Sehgal, a woman proposed by left wing parties.

Kalam, 70, said the alleviation of poverty and development of rural areas are important issues for India. “India has to be transformed into a developed nation, a prosperous nation, and a healthy nation, with a value system,” Kalam said.