India's growth saga depends on its success in Science and Technology: Modi

Delivering an inaugural address at the five-day 107 Indian Science Congress, here, being organised at the Gandhi Krishi Vijnana Kendra (GKVK) campus, the Prime Minister said that there is a need to transform the landscape of Indian Science and technology to enable faster development.

''My motto for young scientists is Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper,'' he said.

Opining that the application of the Science and technology had transformed the lives of the rural masses, Mr Modi said, ''In the last five years, rural development has been felt by the common people across the country.''

Hailing the Bengaluru for its science-friendly environment, Mr Modi said that ''the world is coming to innovate here and the city has developed a great eco-system for development and research as every young scientist, innovator and engineer desires to connect here''.

Maintaining that India should develop a long-term roadmap to a sustainable and environment-friendly transportation and energy-storage options, the Prime Minister set a target of reduction of oil-import by at least 10 per cent by 2022.

Stating that there exists immense opportunities for transforming all forms of waste into wealth, the Prime Minister said that ''there is a huge scope of opportunities for start-ups in the bio-fuel and ethanol production''.

Mentioning that Water governance has thrown up a new frontiers for Scientists to work, he said, "It is your responsibility to develop a cheap and effective technology for the recycling of water."

Informing that the advent of Digital technology, e-commerce, internet banking and mobile banking services are helping the rural population significantly, Mr Modi said, ''Farmers are getting the required information on weather and forecast at their fingertips''.

Referring that India has emerged as the top country in the world in the production of medicines at an affordable cost, he exhorted the Scientists to lend their assistance in the eradication of  the life threatening TB disease by 2020.

Appreciating that the technology had helped the country in recognising the eight crore women who were using firewood or coal for cooking, switch over to Gas, the Prime Minister said, ''Our government has created a record by transferring money directly to the bank account of over six crore farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and this was made easier by Aadhar-enabled technology.'.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, the General President of the 107 Indian Science Congress Prof Rangappa, and others were present on the occasion.

The Science Congress, being attended by Scientists, technocrats and Students came from several parts of the state, and also from abroad, will showcase the ongoing research and discovery in about 14 disciplines.

About 75  resource persons, who came from 16 countries, will present their papers under different categories, including 37 from Americans, 10 Japaneses and five scientists from China at the five-day Science festival.