Kolkata, May 17 (IANS) President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Thursday stressed on the necessity of extensive stem cell research to find a solution to increase neuro activities of mentally challenged people.
Addressing the ‘differently-abled’ students and the teachers of Manovikas Kendra, a premier rehabilitation and research institute for the handicapped, Kalam said stem cell research is going on worldwide and it will take five to 10 years to solve brain disorders based on this unique research.
Kalam was impressed by the scientific research works carried out by the scientists and research workers of the institution.
According to him, the institute is blessed with great teachers who are striving to improve the abilities of the mentally challenged students.
“The types of works done in the institute are useful not only to its students, but also for their family members,” he said.
The president informed the audience that he and one of his students were working to find out the genetic reason behind such mental illnesses. He expressed his willingness to work with Manovikas Kendra in this regard.
Kalam said that scientifically the solution on curbing mental illness could be found out but it would be a challenging task.
He said genetic research should be carried out to identify the location of dysfunction of the portion of the brain and then initiate direct intervention – physiologically or by mathematical methods.
The president donated Rs.1 million to the institute for enhancing research and rehabilitation works.
Kalam also visited the Manovikas Biomedical Research and Diagnostic Centre and interacted with five scientists and 13 research scholars there.