AMN /
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said, India will be among the top three countries in science and technology by 2030. Inaugurating the 104th Indian Science Congress at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Mr Modi said, his government is committed to supporting different streams of scientific knowledge. He said, science must meet the rising aspirations of the people, and infrastructure and social welfare ministries must make use of it.
The Prime Minister said, India’s best scientific institutions should strengthen basic research in line with global practices. He said, tomorrow’s experts will come from investments we make today in people and infrastructure. Mr Modi emphasised the need to keep an eye on the rise of disruptive technologies and be prepared to leverage them for growth.
The Prime Minister said, seeding the power of ideas and innovation in school children will broaden the base of innovation pyramid and secure the future of the nation. He said, the role of science in planning, decision making and governance has never been more important. The Prime Minister said, the nation is always grateful to its scientists for their creativity, toil and hard work for the betterment of the country.
Mr Modi paid rich tributes to the distinguished scientist Dr. MGK Menon who passed away recent times for his yeomen services to the nation. He said, some of the important challenges to mankind are in having clean water and environment which are going to pose several challenges in the days to come.
A number of eminent scientists, Nobel laureates, industry leaders, policy makers, innovators, academicians and a host of national and international delegates are participating in the 5-day Congress. The theme of the event is, ‘Science and Technology for National Development’The Prime The Minister also emphasised the need to catch up with knowledge in cyber and robotics and other related segments of science and technology where fast paced changes are happening every day.
NITI Ayog, Mr Modi said, is evolving a charter to concentrate on 12 key sectors that need to be addressed in the country. He said, the Centre is according utmost importance for the progress of Science and Technology especially in education, medical, technology and infrastructure development.
Earlier the Prime Minister released the 104th ISC Plenary Proceedings and a souvenir on the occasion and felicitated Nobel laureates and eminent scientists with gold medals and interacted with them. A host of scientific luminaries from several countries across the world will exchange their views on a wide range of scientific issues, both of national and international importance during the five-day conclave with the focal theme ‘Science and Technology for National Development’.
Many topics taken up for discussion resonate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a better India, to transform the country through science and technology, such as Digital India, Swachh Bharat and Smart Cities, etc. A session on ‘Frontiers of Defence Research’ would address ‘Make in India’ too.The Prime Minister will have a half-an-hour interaction with Nobel laureates and luminary scientists on the sidelines of the event, before leaving by road for a Darshan of Lord Venkateswar atop Tirumala hills.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who played an active role in organising the event, accompanied the Prime Minister. Security has been beefed up for PM’s visit to Tirumala Tirupati.