Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Harshvardhan has said that ‘Dehradun Declaration’ has been adopted at the end of a two-day conference of CSIR directors. He announced this while addressing the mediapersons along with the Director-General, CSIR Dr MO Garg on the final day of the two-day Chintan Shivir of CSIR directors at Indian institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun on Saturday.
Directors of CSIR laboratories vowed to develop technologies for national missions like Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat, Skill India, Smart Cities, Digital India and Namami Gange. It was also decided that CSIR lABS will devise ways to develop industry- driven technologies, including game changing technologies. Each laboratory would also develop at least one technology in strategic sector for India, the Minister informed. The resolution also declares that all CSIR-run institutions will prepare for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations beginning in September 2016.
The Shivir concluded with all CSIR laboratories agreeing to make efforts to be self- financing in next two years. lauding the role of CSIR, the Minister said it would prove to be a catalytic agent to help India evolve into Samarth Bharat-Sashakt Bharat. He said that the revenue model would be developed in professional manner with clear input-output cost analysis. Emphasis will be laid to achieve global standards and to build confidence in society at large about relevance of CSIR labs in terms of social benefit. labs will endeavour to build up entrepreneurship in Small, Medium and Big industries, Dr Vardhan said. “We are sure, CSIR would develop technologies that would qualitatively transform the life of the common man,” he added.
Reminding the esteemed institute of the imperative to relate resource development and invention to the lives of the unprivileged section of the society who are still vegetating on the periphery of developing India, the Minister said those running the scientific laboratories must fine-tune their priorities to the social and economic agenda of Narendra Modi Government. “The interests of the poor and the unprivileged must be kept in mind while firming up policies,” he stressed. The Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Y S Chowdary urged CSIR directors to come up with at least 12 cutting- edge technologies which are to be commercialised every year.