Modi at Indian Science Congress : stresses on low cost technologies for farmers, gives slogan "Jai Anusandhan"

While speaking at the inauguration ceremony of 106th Indian Science Congress at Jalandhar, Modi, reflecting on the theme of the event this year - ‘Future India: Science and Technology’ - said that India's true strength  will be in connecting  its science, technology and innovation, with its people.

He recalled the great Indian scientists of the past, including Acharyas J.C. Bose, C.V. Raman, Meghnad Saha, and S.N. Bose, and said that they served the people through "minimum resources" and "maximum struggle."

"The life and works of hundreds of Indian Scientists are a compelling testament of integration of deep fundamental insights with technology development and nation-building.  It is through our modern temples of science that India is transforming its present and working to secure its future," the Prime Minister said.

Modi  recalled our former Prime Ministers  Lal Bahadur Shastri ji and  Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave  the slogans: "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and  "Jai Vigyan" respectively. "Now the time has come to take a step further, by adding "Jai Anusandhan."

The Prime Minister emphasized that the pursuit of science is fulfilled through the achievement of two objectives: generation of  profound or disruptive knowledge; and use of that knowledge for socio-economic good. 

"As we boost our discovery science ecosystem, we must also focus on innovation and start-ups, the Prime Minister said. He said that the Government has launched the Atal Innovation Mission to promote innovation among our scientists. More Technology Business Incubators have been established in the last four years than in the forty years before that," he added.

"Our Scientists must commit themselves to addressing problems of affordable healthcare, housing, clean air, water and energy, agricultural productivity and food processing. While Science is universal, technology must be local for providing solutions relevant to local needs and conditions," the Prime Minister said.

di said that big data analysis, artificial intelligence and block-chain should be utilised in the agricultural sector, especially to help the farmers with relatively small farm-holdings.

He urged the scientists to work towards ease of living for the people. In this context, he mentioned issues such as drought management in low rainfall areas; early disaster warning systems; tackling malnutrition; tackling diseases among children such as encephalitis; clean energy; clean drinking water; and cyber security. He called for time-bound solutions through research, in these areas.

He said that strong pathways to commercialization, are needed to leverage   our Research & Development achievements, through industrial products. 

The Prime Minister called for research, which is a fusion of Arts and Humanities, Social Science, Science and Technology.

Noting that our strengths in research and development are built on the backbone of our national laboratories, central universities, IITs, IISC, TIFR and IISERs, the Prime Minister said that a strong research ecosystem must be developed in the State Universities and Colleges, as well.

He announced that the Union Government has approved a National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems with an investment of over Rs. 3600 crore. The Mission will cover in a seamless way, R&D, Technology Development, Human resources and Skills, Innovation, Start-up Ecosystem and strong Industry and International Collaborations, he added.

Speaking on achievements in the space sector, Modi mentioned the success of Cartosat 2 and other satellites. He said preparations are underway for sending three Indians into space, through the Gaganyaan in 2022. He expressed happiness that research has begun to find an effective solution for sickle cell anaemia.

He said that the ‘Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council’ will help formulate appropriate Science and Technology interventions, catalyze collaborations across stakeholder Ministries and implement multi-stakeholder policy initiatives.