Date:25/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/25/stories/2006092515130100.htm

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River-link will wash away poverty: Kalam

R. Krishnamoorthy

During interaction with villagers at Muthuveerakandianpatti in Thanjavur district

INTERACTION: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, speaking to members of a self-help group at a village near Thanjavur on Sunday. — Photo: M. SRINATH

THANJAVUR: President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam said on Sunday that traces of poverty in Tamil Nadu would vanish if the major rivers — Cauvery, Tamiraparani, Vaigai and Palar — were linked.

The President said surplus waters from these rivers, which otherwise drained into the sea, should be harnessed and stored in all tanks for recharging ground water. He was answering questions from a predominantly rural audience after inspecting the Periyar PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) developmental activity at Muthuveerakandianpatti.

To a question posed by a school student on the problems of poverty and corruption, the President said that while a positive attitude could address poverty, corruption must be eradicated. The presence of good institutions in the region qualified Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Tiruvarur as tier-III towns ideal for promotion as software hubs, he said.