Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 9: The Narendra Modi Government’s new scientific initiative “Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan”, aimed at promoting aptitude for scientific innovation among school children, was launched here today with a formal inauguration by former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam along with Union Ministers Dr. Harshwardhan, Dr. Jitendra Singh and Prof. Ram Shankar Katheria. A souvenir book on “Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan” was also released on the occasion. Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, who could not be present on the occasion, conveyed her message through video conference.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kalam called upon the young students to develop the habit of learning in life. The purpose of learning, he said, was to learn to live, learn to think and learn to acquire knowledge.
Giving the mantra of discovery, innovation and invention for young students, Dr. Kalam said that every young scientific mind should possess unique traits of curiosity and excellence in action. Narrating several anecdotes, he said, the qualities which can make one great come from continuous application of mind, hard work and not being afraid to face the problem at hand.
Lauding the launch of “Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan”, Dr Kalam said, such targeted focus on science and mathematics will not only help secondary and elementary schools, but will also help the nation to create new generation of scientists, entrepreneurs and researchers.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, in his address, observed that young scientific minds deserve un-intimidated freedom to grow and experiment on their own, but many a time, much harm to the cause of scientific research is done by none other than teachers of science themselves, who force young formative minds into stereotype classroom teaching which ends up taking the toll of their innovative creativity. In this context, he suggested that parents also need to be educated because soon after a child passes out of Class 10, they force him into stereotype routine of attending tutorials and coaching classes from morning to evening and in the process, kill the child’s inherent traits.
Lauding Prime Minister Modi for his natural scientific temper, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the launch of Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the young India of tomorrow. From his personal experience, he said, he had adopted for himself the dictum to be a learner throughout life and to look forward to learn at least one new thing on each day that we live and added that if young minds also adopt this approach, they will never grow old and they will always remain creative. He also referred to a plan being finalized by the DoNER Ministry to ensure large scale involvement of the student community from Northeast in the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Harshwardhan referred to several innovative programmes being carried out by the Science & Technology Ministry and assured that in future also, the ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of HRD for formulating new programmes for young scientists.
Dr. Harshwardhan said, there is a solution to every problem and at the same time, solutions emerge from casual interactions among scientific and innovative people. In this regard, he referred to the idea of Pulse Polio programme which had suddenly come to his mind following a casual conversation at a function 20 years ago, when he was the Health Minister of Delhi.
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