मैं अपनी बात शुरू करने
से पहले, सबसे पहले श्री वसंत गोवारिकर जो हमारे देश के गणमान्य वैज्ञानिक
थे और आज ही हमारे बीच नहीं रहे। मैं इसी धरती की संतान और भारत को
विज्ञान जगत में आगे बढ़ाने में जिन्होंने बहुत अहम भूमिका निभाई थी ऐसे
श्रीमान वसंत गोवारिकर जो को हृदय अंतःकरण पूर्वक श्रृद्धांजलि देता हूं।
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour to participate in the Indian Science Congress. I thank University of Mumbai for hosting this Congress.
I had the opportunity to participate in
the Congress as Chief Minister of Gujarat. I am delighted to return here
after ten years.
I greatly admire the rich history of this hundred-year old institution.
I feel humbled by the work that
scientists do. And, I find science and technology an invaluable ally in
governance and development.
Human civilization has advanced because of the basic human spirit of enquiry and quest for understanding our universe and world.
It is a search driven by the belief in
what our Vedas described as, Satye Sarvam Pratisthanam – Everything is
established in Truth.
Science may be the product of human
brain. But, it is also driven by the compassion of human heart – the
desire to make human life better.
We have here with us Nobel Laureates, whose work in science has given new hope against dreaded diseases.
We also have one whose own understanding of social science gave the poorest a life of hope, opportunity and dignity.
Science and technology has helped reduce
poverty and advance prosperity; fight hunger and improve nutrition;
conquer diseases, improve health and give a child a better chance to
survive; connect us to our loved ones and the world; spread education
and awareness; and, given us clean energy that can make our habitat more
sustainable.
A nation`s progress and its human
development are linked to science and technology. In more recent times,
China`s emergence as the second biggest global economy is in parallel to
its rise to the second place in science and technology activities.
Science and technology can also remove
national barriers, unify the world and advance peace. It can bring
nations, rich and poor, in a shared effort to address global challenges.
But, we also know that it can increase
inequality, make wars more lethal and damage our environment. Sometimes,
we learn about their consequences later, as we did on climate change;
sometimes, these are the result of our own choices.
For example, information technology was
meant to increase efficiency and productivity; sometimes, however, its
various distractions can easily overpower us! How often do we sit in
meetings and cannot resist the temptation to catch up on our messages!
So, when we speak of science and human
development, we cannot divorce it from the questions of political
decisions; social choices; and of equity, ethics and access.
Human development has been the larger
purpose and the driving force of Indian scientific pursuits. And,
science has helped shape modern India.
At the dawn of freedom, Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru placed science and technology at the heart of national
development. Our scientists launched pioneering research and built
outstanding institutions with modest resources that continue to serve us
well.
Since then, our scientists have placed us at the forefront of the world in many areas.
Whenever the world shut its door on us,
our scientists responded with the zeal of a national mission. When the
world sought our collaboration, they reached out with the openness that
is inherent in our society.
They have alleviated some of our most
acute and pressing challenges of human development. They helped us
overcome dependence on others for such basic needs as food. They have
secured our borders; supported industrial progress; and, given our
people a life of opportunities and dignity.
Our scientists put Mangalyaan in the Mars
orbit in the first attempt – I must congratulate Radhakrishnan`s team –
and their accurate prediction of Cyclone Hudhud saved thousands of
lives; our nuclear scientists work for our energy security, and they
have also placed India at the Asian forefront in cancer research and
treatment.
Our achievements give us pride, but they do not blind us to the enormous challenges that we face in India.
We are at yet another moment of expectation and excitement, as we were at the birth of independent India.
There is a mood of optimism for change in the country; the energy to pursue it; and, confidence to achieve it.
But, the dreams we all share for India will depend as much on science and technology as it will on policy and resources -
To make our agriculture more resilient and yield more; to develop appropriate and affordable technologies for rural areas;
To do more from every drop of water; and, explore the potential of marine resources
To preserve our biodiversity; and keep our environment clean
To improve healthcare and develop medicines and medical devices that is within the reach of poorest;
To make clean energy affordable and its use more efficient;
To use technology to realize our dream of housing and sanitation for all;
To find our own solutions to make our cities cleaner and more habitable
To turn waste into wealth and resources for sustainable infrastructure of the future;
To use internet to improve human development
To make India a leading manufacturing nation; and a hub for knowledge and technology-intensive industries.
To me, the arms of science, technology and innovation must reach the poorest, the remotest and the most vulnerable person.
This is an enterprise of national
importance in which each of us – Government, Industry, National
Laboratories, Universities and research institutions – have to work
together.
Too often, a discussion on science and
technology is reduced to a question of budgets. It is important; and I
am confident that it will continue to grow.
But, our own achievements have shown that very often a need and vision and passion are more important than resource for success.
And, it is how we use resources that will determine how effective we are in making science and technology work for us.
Our development challenges will naturally shape our strategic priorities in science and technology.
Even as we focus on some key areas, we should not confine research and development to a few pre-determined paths.
And, it is as important to focus on basic research as on research and development and innovation.
We should also recognize that science is universal, but technology can be local.
If we incorporate traditional and local
knowledge, systems and technologies, we may develop more appropriate,
effective, affordable and sustainable solutions that contribute
immensely to human development and progress.
As the major source of science and technology efforts in the country, Government must do its part.
When I speak of ease of doing business in
India, I also want to pay equal attention to the ease of doing research
and development in India.
Funding proposals must not take too long
to clear; meeting application requirement should not become more complex
than research; approval process should not become a deterrent for
international conference; and, our scientific departments must have
flexibility of funding decisions based on the uncertainties inherent in
research activities.
We want our scientists and researchers to explore the mysteries of science, not of government procedures.
We want them to consider publications, not government approvals, to be the epitome of their success.
We must also have clear regulatory
policies for research and development in areas like biotechnology,
Nano-Science, agriculture and clinical research.
We should ensure that our strong
intellectual property regime continues to work effectively and provides
the right balance between private incentives and social good.
Further, not just scientific departments,
but every other department in the Government should see how to apply
science and technology and promote research to improve their work. Each
should have an officer focusing on science and technology relating to
its area of work; and, allocate a percentage of its budget for such
activities. We have begun this experience with Space technology.
Investments in science and technology
activities should also become part of the expenditure on corporate
social responsibility – to be funded directly or through an autonomous
fund.
We also need to foster a strong culture
of collaboration between institutions and across disciplines to take
advantage of developments, innovations and expertise in diverse areas.
My impression is that this is far from the ideal in India
I will ask our ministries to make
collaborations a critical requirement for their institutions and for
supporting funding requests for research.
We have to place the university system at
the cutting edge of the research and development activities in the
country. Our investments in science and technology are far too
concentrated in the agencies of the Central Government and must become
more broad-based.
Our universities must be freed from the
clutches of excessive regulation and cumbersome procedures. They must
have a higher degree of academic freedom and autonomy; and, there should
be as much emphasis on research as on teaching.
In turn, the universities must also
subscribe to the highest academic and research standards and
accountability. This includes thorough peer review.
We have to rapidly expand our higher education sector; yet, our existing institutions face shortage of faculty.
We have a large pool of outstanding
scientists and engineers working in central institutions and agencies. I
want them to spend some time each year, teaching and guiding Ph.D
students at a university.
Our industry must also step up investments in science and technology in its own interest.
India`s own pharmaceutical industry has
carved out a place for itself in the world, because it invests
significantly in research.
Indeed, our long term global
competitiveness will depend not on replicating what others have done,
but through a process of sustained development and innovation.
There is a growing trend of international
collaboration in research and development, not just among business
enterprises, but equally among researchers and scholars at universities
and laboratories. We should take full advantage of this.
For this reason, I have placed science
and technology at the forefront of our diplomatic engagement. As I have
travelled abroad, I have personally sought out scientists to explore
collaborations in areas like clean energy, agriculture, biotechnology,
medicine and healthcare.
We have built excellent partnerships with
all leading nations to address the grand challenges of the world today.
I have also offered our expertise to our neighbours and other
developing countries.
I have often spoken of skill development for our youth.
Our future will be secure and our global
leadership possible, if we also prepare the next generation of world
class scientists, technologists and innovators.
School education in science and mathematics should become more creative and stimulating.
Let us also use Internet to bring the best of our scientists in direct contact with our children and our youth.
Digital connectivity should become as much a basic right as access to school.
I welcome the initiatives of Department
of Science and Technology for involving thousands of children and youth
in science and technology.
It is not surprising that our young minds
are winning international competitions and 12 of them have minor comets
named after them!
Our children should seek role model in
scientists as much as in sportsmen. Their parents should feel as much
pride in their children seeking a future in science as in business or
civil service.
For this, we need to communicate the power and possibilities of science better.
Let us, for example, make science and technology the theme of Republic Day parade in the near future.
We need to celebrate our scientific achievements as much as we rejoice in our success in other areas.
We should give young participants and
winners in science fairs maximum public recognition and sustained
support of the government.
I would personally love to meet the best of our young scientists.
In conclusion, let me say for a safe,
sustainable, prosperous future for India; or global leadership in a
knowledge and technology intensive world, we need to put science,
technology and innovation at the
top of national priorities.
I am confident that we can do it.
We in India are the inheritors of a
thriving tradition of Indian science and technology since ancient times.
Mathematics and medicine; metallurgy and mining; calculus and textiles;
architecture and astronomy – the contribution the Indian civilization
to human knowledge and advancement has been rich and varied.
We can draw inspiration and confidence
from our numerous successes over the past six decades in difficult
circumstances; the strength of our many institutions; and, India`s rich
talent in science, reflected in the five distinguished Indian
scientists, whom we have just honoured.
Above all, we must restore the pride and
prestige of science and scientists in our nation; revive the romance for
science in society; rekindle the love for it in our children; and,
encourage our scientists – to dream, imagine and explore.
You will have no better supporter than me. In turn, I seek your help in transforming India.
Thank you very much, wish you all the best.
