“Dream, imagine and explore. You will have no better supporter than me. In return I seek you help in transforming India,” said PM Narendra Modi assured scientists while declaring the 102nd Indian Science Congress (ISC) at Mumbai University open Saturday.
Modi, who marked the beginning of the five-day-long Science Congress, along with science and technology minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Maharashtra’s governor Vidyasagar Rao and Maharashtra’s chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, urged corporate houses to create a separate section for funding of scientific research projects under their corporate social responsibility (CSR). He also said that science and technology will be at the forefront in all diplomatic discussions with foreign countries.
“We must make progresses in nanotechnology, biotechnology and agriculture… Science and technology has helped in conquering diseases, removing poverty and has given a child a better chance to survive. It has helped in giving us clean energy to make our habitat conducible to live,” Modi said in his address, adding that India has been the forerunner in science advancement since the ancient era.
“We are inheritors of science and technology from ancient times. Right from mathematics and medicine to metallurgy and mining, India has contributed to science field,” he added.
He emphasized that government’s investment in research projects is slated to increase in future. “I will ask the ministry to increase funding in scientific research projects. Funding of proposal for research should not take long, it should not be complicated, and approval process should not become a deterrent during international conferences. We want our scientists and researchers to explore science and not government paper work,” Modi promised the scientists and researchers present at the inaugural event.
With ‘Make in India’ the underlining theme of this year’s Science Congress, Modi said that school education should be used to impart more knowledge on science and technology. “Internet must be used by everyone for information sharing… Digital connectivity should become a basic right just like education,” he said.
Amidst applause from students and delegates and nobel laureates, Modi said, “Science may be a product of human brain, but it is driven by compassion of human heart.”
While congratulating Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the successful maiden attempt on Mars Mission and scientists for accurate prediction of climatic conditions in the country, like the prediction for cyclone Hud Hud, Modi also drew attention towards China’s escalating role in science and technology. “China’s emergence as second biggest global economy is parallel to its development in science and technology activities. Science and technology can help in removing national barriers and in bringing global peace,” Modi said.
Modi, while addressing over 16,000 delegates in English, ended on a classic note: “Let’s revive the romance of science in public.”
Dr Harsh Vardhan, minister of science and technology, also said that India has been a land of scientists with algebra and mathematical continued…
We must restore the pride and prestige of science and scientists in our nation.
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