Maintaining that “science is universal, but technology can be local”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for use of traditional and local knowledge, systems and technologies to develop more appropriate, effective, affordable and sustainable solutions that contribute immensely to human development and progress.
Addressing the 102nd Indian Science Congress here, the Prime Minister said that more resilient agriculture, appropriate and affordable technologies for rural areas, improving healthcare, making clean technology affordable, and making India a leading manufacturing nation and a hub for knowledge and technology-intensive industries, were some of the key objectives before Indian scientists.
Underscoring the need for reaching the fruits of science, technology and innovation to the “poorest, the remotest and most vulnerable person”, the Prime Minister said, “For a safe, sustainable, prosperous future for India; or global leadership in a knowledge and technology intensive world, we need to put science, technology and innovation at the top of national priorities. I am confident that we can do it”.
The Prime Minister — who appeared unfazed by the criticism he had received from certain quarters for his recent remarks about the presence of genetic science during the Mahabharat era and the possibility of lord Ganesh having undergone a plastic surgery to have an elephant’s head on his body – spoke in glowing terms about the ancient Indian science and technology.
“We in India are the inheritors of a thriving tradition of Indian science and technology since ancient times. Mathematics and medicine; metallurgy and mining; calculus and textiles; architecture and astronomy - the contribution the Indian civilisation to human knowledge and advancement has been rich and varied,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said that there was a need to derive inspiration and confidence from our numerous successes over the past six decades in difficult circumstances. “India's rich talent in science, reflected in the five distinguished Indian scientists, whom we have just honoured,” he said. Modi pointed out that a nation's progress and its human development were linked to science and technology. “China's emergence as the second biggest global economy is in parallel to its rise to the second place in science and technology activities,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that a discussion on science and human development, could not be divorced from the questions of political decisions; social choices; and of equity, ethics and access. “Human development has been the larger purpose and the driving force of India's scientific pursuits, and science has helped shape modern India,” he said.
Having begun his address by paying homage to eminent scientist Vasant Gowarikar, who passed away recently, Modi heaped praise on Indian scientists for rising to the occasion “whenever the world shut its door on us”. The Prime Minister said that when the world sought India’s collaboration, "our scientists have reached out with the openness that is inherent in our society".
Modi also lauded Indian scientists for putting Mangalyaan in the Mars orbit in the first attempt, and saving thousands of lives through their accurate prediction of Cyclone Hudhud. “When I speak of ease of doing business in India, I also want to pay equal attention to the ease of doing research and development in India. Funding proposals must not take too long to clear, and scientific departments must have flexibility of funding decisions based on the uncertainties inherent in research activities,” he said.
Modi called for clear regulatory policies for research and development in areas like biotechnology, nano-science, agriculture and clinical research. As many as 12,000 delegates are attending the 102nd Indian Science Congress organised by the University of Mumbai at its Kalina Campus from January 3 to 7. Among the delegates are seven Nobel laureates and four Nobel equivalent prize winning scientists. The theme for this year is ‘Science and Technology for Human development’.
later in the day, Union Minister for Science and Technology Harshvardhan inaugurated the ‘Pride of India Expo’ a mega science and technology exhibition showcasing cutting-edge technologies, leading scientific products and services, path breaking R&D initiatives, schemes and achievements of India’s leading public and private sectors, Government departments, research labs and educational institutions.
The Expo, organised as part of the 102nd Indian Science Congress is being held at the MMRDA Grounds at Bandra-Kurla Complex in north-central Mumbai. Major attractions at the exhibitions are the pavilions of Defence Research Development Organization, DRDO, showcasing defence related technologies, ISRO exhibiting actual scale models of rockets and satellite transponders, Mangalyan model etc. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Council of Medical Research also have stalls at the exhibition. ONGC is displaying latest oil drilling technologies.
Government of India has also put up a mega ‘Make In India’ exhibition highlighting the new initiative of the Prime Minister. leading private sector companies and educational institutes like University of Mumbai, RTM Nagpur University are also present in the pride of India Expo, 2015.