The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, inaugurated 97th Indian Science Congress at Kerala University, Karyavattom today. In his inaugural address, Dr. Singh urged scientific institutions to introspect and propose mechanisms for greater autonomy, including autonomy from the government, which would help to improve standards. He emphasised the need for making special efforts to encourage scientists of Indian origin currently working abroad to return to India so that ‘brain-drain’ of the past may be converted into a ‘brain-gain’ for the future. Listing the efforts made by the government to improve the scientific base in the country, he informed that under the INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) scheme, the government will soon announce the name of atleast one science awardee per school in the age group of 10-15 in the country. The government is also considering the revision of the value of doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships as well as the formulation of schemes that would cover all research scholars with some funding support, he added. Elaborating on the theme of Indian Science Congress, that is ‘Science and Technology: Challenges of 21st century-A National Perspective’, he enlisted various prominent issues which we are faced with today which include the challenge of climate change, developing renewable and clean energy supplies including nuclear and solar energy, water resource management, strengthening food security, developments in bio-technology with respect to increasing resistance to pests, providing affordable health care and improving the quality of life etc.

Dr. Singh said that the government has declared 2010-2020 as the ‘Decade of Innovations’. He said that new solutions in many areas are needed to achieve our goals of inclusive and sustainable growth- in health care, energy, urban infrastructure, water, and transportation etc. He expressed the hope that 97th Indian science Congress will come forward with specific proposals to give a new boost to science in India. On this occasion Prime Minister gave away awards to 18 scientists for excellent performance in the field of science and technology

Earlier Shri.Prithviraj Chavan, Minister for Science and Technology told about considerable improvement in quantitative output of the Indian science research due to initiative taken in recent years. Refering to Global Research Report-India by Thompson Reuters released recently he said that India’s ranking in output of scientific publications had improved from 15th position in 2002 to 10th position in 2008 which is likely to improve to 9th position by 2010. He expressed the hope that 21st century will belong to China and India on account of strength of their economies and human resources. He stressed the need for addressing the great challenges of energy security, food security, water, affordable health care for all, terrorism and internal security in order to provide improved quality of life and opportunities to each citizen of the country.

Earlier Dr G. Madhavan Nair, General President of Indian Science Congress Association welcomed the Prime Minister and other dignitaries which included among others Shri R.S Gavai, Governor of Kerala, Shri V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Valyalar Ravi, minister for Overseas Indian affairs, Shri Sasi Tharoor, MoS External Affairs, Prof C.N.R Rao,Chairman, PM’s Advisory Council, Dr T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology.

Source: Press Information Bureau
Date: 03 January, 2010