President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the India International Science Festival, 2018 in Lucknow on Saturday.
This is the fourth in a series of events being organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Vijnana Bharati.
In his address, the President said that it was appropriate that the IISF was taking place in Lucknow this year. “This is a city with a long tradition of learning and of scientific research. Even before Independence, botanist and fossil specialist Birbal Sahni did pioneering work here. His research is symbolised by Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleosciences,” Kovind said.
The President said that prominent institutions such as Central Drug Research Institute, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research and Indian Institute of Toxicology Research were set up in Lucknow.
“Over the years, Lucknow has become a centre for education and research in medicine – especially at Sanjay Gandhi Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences – as well as in engineering and technology and, most recently, information technology. All this makes the city an excellent setting for such a festival,” he said.
Kovind said that science had always been a part of Indian culture. “Centuries ago, our ancestors were uncovering the secrets of mathematics and the concept of zero. They were applying lessons of science in fields as far apart as medicine and metallurgy. From Green Revolution to our space programme to the creation of a thriving biotech and pharmaceutical industry, science has driven our post-1947 modernisation. Today, in the first quarter of the 21st century, in the age of robotics and precision manufacture, of bioinformatics and gene editing, of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and artificial intelligence, it is time for a quantum jump,” the President opined.
Kovind said that we could not make that jump without converting science into a mass movement – and without promoting tinkering and innovation as an everyday activity in our labs, universities and even schools.
“Jugaad, cut-paste experiments and frugal innovation have their role. Even so, if we are to transform India into a middle-income economy and an advanced industrial power, we need to upgrade the engines of knowledge creation. Science and technology are not a mere add-on – their cross-cutting nature and role in every field and in all our flagship programmes and developmental efforts have to be appreciated,” the President said.
“Such thinking shapes government policies and lead to putting together of IISF as, if I could call it so, Kumbh Mela of science. Its sessions cover a spectrum of science-related themes. There is a conclave of science ministers of India and of partner countries. There is a coming together of scientists and technologists from Indian diaspora to find ways of engaging their skills in Indian research institutions,” Kovind said.
The President added that between 2012 and 2017, 649 Indian scientists had returned from abroad to pursue research opportunities at home. He said in the previous five years, only 243 scientists had returned.
“Of course, it is not important where scientists are based. The nature of science is transnational. A few weeks ago, I was at Europe’s leading centre for laser research, located in Prague (Czech Republic) and among those contributing to it were Indian scientists based in Mumbai,” he said.
The President also listed schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan as a mission to remove the curse of open defecation and make living conditions cleaner, hygienic and conducive to modern waste disposal practices. He also mentioned the Mission Indradhanush, Ayushmaan Bharat health insurance programme etc.
The government has announced Prime Minister’s research fellowship scheme to promote development through innovation with a budget of Rs 1,650 crore for seven years starting 2018-19.
“These are exciting times for science in India as resources are now available. It is for our talent pool to respond,” the President said.
Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Harshvardhan also addressed the inaugural session.