Expressing concern over the loss of thousands of lives in the recent earthquake, President A P J Abdul Kalam Monday called upon scientists to develop a gadget that would help predict natural disasters at least two weeks in advance.

• Quake hits North India

"We need forecasting equipment to warn about earthquakes, an area which offers a fantastic opportunity for scientists to undertake research," he said while inaugurating the five-day Third General Assembly and International Conference on Women's Impact on Science and Technology in the New Millennium, in Bangalore.

Every scientist in the country should ask a question for himself -- for what he will be remembered? Kalam said.

Kalam stressed the need to step up scientific research in the areas of nanoscience, bio-technology and information sciences and convergence.

There was an urgent need to a invent cure for killer HIV/AIDS, he said.

Calling upon women to excel themselves in scientific area, he said he was happy to note that of the 25,000 scientists working in various institutions, women account for 5,000.

Kalam said the achievements by Madam Curie in the atomic field, Prof Rohini Devi and Prof Bharati Bhat of India in heat sheet design and development of multi tracking radar system respectively have influenced him greatly. 

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal, in his opening remarks, announced that the government had decided to set up a task force to suggest measures to increase women scientists participation in the country's development.

President of the Academy of Sciences for Developing World and renowed scientist Prof C N R Rao, president of Third World Organisation for Women Science Prof Lydia Makhubhu, Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi participated.