India aims to eliminate tuberculosis from the country by 2025: PM Modi at VAIBHAV Summit

“VAIBHAV Summit 2020 celebrates Science and Innovation from India and the World. I would call it a true sangam or confluence of great minds, through this gathering we sit to form our long-lasting association for empowering India and our planet," he said.

PM Modi said noted that the Indian government has taken numerous measures to boost scientific research and innovation as science is at the core of its efforts towards socio-economic change.

He mentioned about the ambitious mission to eliminate tuberculosis in India by 2025, which is five years before the global target.

The Prime Minister referred to India’s immense efforts towards the development of vaccines and executing the vaccination programme.

He said the long break in vaccine production is broken. "In 2014 four new vaccines were introduced into our immunization programme. This includes indegineously developed rota vaccine," the PM added.

PM Modi referred to the National Education Policy 2020 which was brought in after three decades and after nation-wide detailed consultations and deliberations.

"The policy aims to boost curiosity towards science and gives a much-needed boost to scientific research. It provides an open and broad-based environment to nurture young talent," he opined.

The Prime Minister mentioned the pioneering space reforms of India which will create opportunities for industry and academia.

Mentioning about Indian partnership in Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, CERN and International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), he highlighted the importance of scientific research and development efforts at a global level.

He also referred to India’s major missions on supercomputing and cyber physical systems.

Talking about fundamental research and applications in areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors, and big data analysis, he said that this will boost the startup sectors and manufacturing in India. 

He mentioned about the 25 innovation technological hubs already launched in India and how it would further boost the startup ecosystem.

Modi said India wants top-quality research to help its farmers. He praised Indian scientists for increasing the production of pulses and food grains.

The Prime Minister said when India progresses the world progresses.

Prime Minister said that VAIBHAV presents a great opportunity to connect and contribute; when India prospers, the world also takes a lead. 

Calling VAIBHAV as a confluence of great minds, he said that these efforts will help create an ideal research ecosystem, merging tradition with modernity to create prosperity.

"These exchanges will certainly be useful and will also lead to useful collaborations in teaching and research. These efforts of the scientists and researchers will help create an ideal research ecosystem," he said.

Prime Minister mentioned that Indian diaspora are the excellent ambassadors of India at the world stage.

"The summit should look forward to realising the dream of building a secure and prosperous future for the coming generations. India wants top-class scientific research to help our farmers. This summit will lead to useful collaborations in teaching and research. The efforts of the Indian diaspora will help create ideal research ecosystem."

In VAIBHAV summit, more than 3000 overseas Indian origin academicians and scientists from 55 countries and about 10,000 from India are taking part and it is being organized by 200 Indian academic institutes and S&T departments, led by Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.

Around 700 overseas panelists from 40 countries and 629 resident panelists from eminent Indian academia and S&T departments will deliberate on 18 different verticals with 80 sub-topics in 213 sessions.