Science should not only contribute to economic development of India but must also serve as propellant to resurging Indian civilization. The resurging civilization was poised to induce India partnering world community in its major Research and Development Projects. She will be joining CERN Institute the premier European organization for nuclear research as associate member. In these words spoken by the Prime Minister to the 101th Indian Science Congress at Jammu, he outlined the Indian concept in regard to joining the club of scientifically advanced nations of the world. The emphasis in his speech was on development of scientific and technological temper of the country that has remained mired in illusion and phantasies for too long a time.
Addressing a galaxy of most eminent scientists of the day coming from different parts of the globe besides the local political and academic glitterati, the Prime Minister said that India needed to leverage the ability of modern science to deliver value to society. This means that while passing through a revolution for modernity in which scientific innovation has played vital role, we cannot afford to lose sight of moral aspect of the State. Our scientists need to dovetail science to lend credibility to our approach to vital areas of human health, sustainable agriculture, clean energy and solutions for water related challenges.
Asserting that the Government give primacy to the role of science in building the nation strong and prosperous, the Prime Minister announced two projects in this regard. He said that another National Mission on High Performance Computing with an outlay of Rs 4500 crores would be set up and the Government was also considering establishment of a National Geographical Information System costing Rs 3000 crores. The Prime Minister went further and suggested that we must increase our annual expenditure on Science and Technology to at least 2 percent of GDP and this has to come from both Government and industry. It is in fitness of things that the Prime Minister should have made an appeal to the industry to come forward in serving the nation in this historical task.
Food security has been very much under discussion in political and official circles. The bill had generated heated debate in the Parliament. It is of utmost importance that we increase food production to feed a vast population. Adopting a strong stance in favour of genetically modified crops, the Prime Minister urged the people of the country not to be swayed by “unscientific prejudices” against them. Use of biotechnology has great potential to improve yields. While safety must be ensured, we should not succumb to unscientific prejudices.
The 101th meet of Indian Science Congress has special significance in the sense that it is being held days ahead of the parliamentary elections in the country. The Prime Minister spoke about successful launch of GSLV spacecraft powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine recently. Indian nuclear scientists were attracting global interest in their effort to develop a Fast Breeder Reactor. The prototype under construction in Kalpakkam, proposed to be completed this year will be a great day for Indian science and technology because with this achievement to the credit of our scientists we will be one of the few countries in the world with leadership in a completely new area of nuclear technology. India’s achievements in the field of space technology and exploration are also noteworthy and the Prime Minister did hint at it. He informed Science Congress that a Neutrino-based observatory is proposed to be set in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 1450 crore, asserting that India has occupied an “enviable position” in the field of science and the launch of Moon and Mars Missions are a testimony of the giant strides taken in space exploration. The Monsoon Mission recently launched is of vital importance to the Indian agriculture as it predicts the climatic conditions and the charter of the monsoons is so vital for the economy of the country.
The crux of Prime Minister’s address and the common denominator of all the speeches was that the benefits of science and technology should reach each and every man. This suggested that innovations and researches have to be people oriented. In particular, focus has to be on rural population as the primary recipient of its benefits. This was also the theme of Prime Minister’s appeal to the scientists. Awarding Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award to five outstanding scientists on the occasion is clear recognition of science as the instrument of all round development of our country. Today we can proudly say that we are in the race for a developed and advanced country. Our huge scientific manpower has the capability and the will to take the country to heights of glory and excellence in various fields.
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