India has to take up nuclear power generation in a big way with thorium-based reactors to meet its growing energy needs, former president, A P J Abdul Kalam, said Thursday.

Thorium, a non-fissile material, is available in abundance in India. Intensive research is needed to convert thorium to maximise its use and to generate electricity with thorium-based reactors, he said while addressing professors at the Anna University here, where he has taken up a teaching assignment. – The Hindu