The 96th Indian Science Congress began in Shillong today with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh calling upon Universities and research institutions to promote younger talent and allow youth to lead. Delivering his inaugural address at the North Eastern Hill University, he said that the scientific institutions must be led by creative intellectual leaders, irrespective of their age as the best science is done by young people.

Reiterating his commitment to double the investment in Science from 1% of national income to 2% of national income, the Prime Minister urged the Indian industry also to invest more in research and development and boost the demand for science and technology graduates and researchers. Citing the role played by public investment in nuclear energy, space and defence related industry in creating the demand for science and technology graduates as an example, Dr. Singh said, a new wave of such investment from the private sector is needed so that our young people will be encouraged increasingly to seek a career in science.

Complimenting the organizers for choosing Shillong as the venue, he said, the theme of the Congress, i.e. "Science Education and Attraction of Talent for Excellence in Research" reflects the priority of the Government.

Dr. Manmohan Singh commended the Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal for making enormous contributions to advancement of S&T in the last five years. Listing some of the initiatives taken by the government for the development of science in India, the Prime Minister said that the higher education base of the country has been widened following his government's investment in the creation of 30 new central universities, 5 new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, 8 new Indian Institutes of Technology and 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology. Establishment of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, the initiative of the Department of Atomic Energy to set up the National Institute of Science Education and Research in Bhubaneswar to nurture world class scientists, creation of a new Ministry for Earth Sciences etc. being some other initiatives.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said that new institutes for research in Himalayan glaciology, molecular materials, nano science and technology are being created. He said that there are proposals from the Ministry of Science and Technology to adopt the Cancer Research Institute in Chennai, the Institute for Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati and the National Innovation Foundation as grantee institutions.

He observed that budget outlay for the Ministries of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences has been trebled for the last four-year period, 2004-08, relatively to the previous four-year period, 2000-04.

Rreferring to the Bill to set up a National Science and Engineering Research Board that was recently adopted by Parliament, Dr. Singh expressed hope that it will be responsible for major scientific research funding and bring in major changes in the scientific research scenario in the country.

In his keynote address, Shri Kapil Sibal emphasised the growing demand that research should be utilitarian and result oriented. Resources should be spent on projects, which can offer quick and lasting solutions. Expressing concern over the misuse of technology for destructive purpose, the Minister said the answer to the problem lies not in embracing a technology denial regime, but act in the belief that technology alone can provide answers to those who seek to misuse it.

He said that the challenges for society are formidable and will require substantial information, knowledge, wisdom, and above all collaboration between the scientific community, policy makers and the public.Shri Sibal observed that the importance of scientific engagement across society and the potential for science to contribute to good policy making and sound governance has never been greater. He expressed confidence that it is only science which will help us address the main challenges we face as a nation and as a planet to tackle and adapt to climate change, ensure security against international terrorism, satiate the needs of a rising population for food, water and other natural resources, and combat the impact of human diseases such as pandemic influenza, bird flu and animal diseases such as foot and mouth and blue tongue.

Earlier, Dr. T. Ramasami, President of the 96th Indian Science Congress and Secretary, Department of Science and Technology welcomed the gathering. Several award winning scientists were felicitated by the Prime Minister in the presence of Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and DoNER Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer and Minister of State in the PMO Shri Prithvi Raj Chavan on the occasion.

Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr Donkupar Roy, Chancellor, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Professor M.G.K. Menon,Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister, Professor C.N.R. Rao, Immediate Past President of the Indian Science Congress, Prof. Ramamurthi Rallapali, the President-elect of the 9th Indian Science Congress and Chairman, ISRO,Dr. G. Madhavan Nair were among the distinguished dignitaries present on the occasion.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : January 03, 2009