Popular Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel ji, my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Dr. Jitendra Singh ji, ministers of various state governments, all colleagues from the world of start-ups, students, other dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen!
I welcome and congratulate all of you on this important event -- 'Center-State Science Conclave'. This event is a living example of the spirit of 'Sabka Prayas' (everyone’s effort) in today's new India.
Friends,
Science is like that energy in the development of 21st century India, which has the potential to accelerate the development of every region and every state. At a time when India is on the verge of leading the fourth industrial revolution, the role of India's science and people associated with this field is very important. In such a situation, the responsibility of the policy-makers and those of us who are associated with governance and administration increases. I hope this brainstorming session in the Science City of Ahmedabad will give you new inspiration and will fill you with enthusiasm to encourage science.
Friends,
It is mentioned in our scriptures - ज्ञानम् विज्ञान सहितम् यत् ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसे अशुभात्।। That is, when there is amalgamation of knowledge and science, when we get introduced to knowledge and science, then it leads to solutions to all the problems of the world automatically. Science is the basis of solution, evolution and innovation. With this inspiration, today's new India is moving forward with the call of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan.
Friends,
There is an important aspect of the past to which I would like to draw your attention. That lesson from history will go a long way in shaping the future for both the Center and the states. If we remember the early decades of the last century, we find how the world was going through a period of devastation and tragedy. But even at that time, scientists everywhere, whether in the East or the West, were engaged in their significant discoveries. In the West, many such scientists like Einstein, Fermi, Max Planck, Niels Bohr and Tesla were surprising the world with their experiments. In the same period, countless Indian scientists like C.V. Raman, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Satyendra Nath Bose, Meghnad Saha, S. Chandrashekhar, among others, were coming forward with their new discoveries. All these scientists opened many avenues to improve the future. But a major difference between East and West was that we did not celebrate the work of our scientists as much as it should have been done. As a result, a sense of indifference developed in a large part of our society regarding science.
One thing we must remember is that when we celebrate art, we also inspire and create more new artists. When we celebrate sports, we inspire and create new players as well. Similarly, when we celebrate the achievements of our scientists, science becomes a natural part of our society and it becomes a part of culture. Therefore, today I urge all the people who have come from all the states to celebrate and glorify the achievements of the scientists of our country. At every step, the scientists of our country are also giving us this opportunity through their discoveries. If India has been able to develop vaccines for corona and has been able to administer more than 200 crore vaccine doses, there is a huge potential of our scientists behind it. Similarly, today the scientists of India are doing wonders in every field. By celebrating every small and big achievement of scientists of India, the aptitude that will develop towards science in the country will help us a lot in this ‘Amrit Kaal’.
Friends,
I am happy that our government is moving ahead with the science-based development approach. Since 2014, there has been a substantial increase in investment in the field of science and technology. Due to the efforts of the government, India is ranked 46th in the Global Innovation Index today, whereas India was at 81 position in 2015. We have covered the distance from 81 to 46 in such a short time, but we do not have to stop here, we have to aim higher now. Today a record number of patents are being granted in India and new innovations are taking place. You can see that today so many start-ups from the field of science are attending this conclave. The wave of start-ups in the country is telling us about how fast the change is coming.
Friends,
Science, technology and innovation are in the DNA of today's young generation. He adapts to technology very fast. We have to support this young generation with all our might. In today's new India, new sectors are being opened up in the field of research and innovation for the younger generation. Be it Space Mission, Deep Ocean Mission, National Super Computing Mission, Semiconductor Mission, Mission Hydrogen, Drone Technology, work is going on at a rapid pace on many such missions. Special emphasis has also been laid in the new National Education Policy so that the education of science and technology can be made available to the student in his mother tongue.
Friends,
We all have to work together on many fronts in this ‘Amrit Kaal’ to make India a global center of research and innovation. We have to take our research related to science and technology to the local level. The need of the hour is that every state should focus on innovation to create local solutions according to their local problems. Now take the example of construction. The technology which is suitable in the Himalayan regions may not necessarily be equally effective in the Western Ghats. Deserts have their own challenges and coastal areas have their own problems. Therefore, today we are working on lighthouse projects for affordable housing in which many technologies are being used. Similarly, if we localize climate resilience crops, we will get better solutions. Science also plays a big role in the circular economy, in recycling the waste products of our cities. To deal with every such challenge, it is necessary that every state should formulate and implement a modern policy related to science, innovation and technology.
Friends,
As a government, we have to cooperate and collaborate more and more with our scientists. This will improve the atmosphere of scientific modernity in the country. In order to encourage innovation, the state governments should lay special emphasis on the creation of more and more scientific institutions and on simplification of processes. The number of innovation labs should also be increased in the institutions of higher education in the states. Today is the era of hyper-specialization. International level specialist laboratories are being established in the states. There is a great need for such laboratories. Our government is ready to help every state at the central level in this regard through the expertise of national institutions. Along with modern science labs in schools, we also have to step up the campaign to build Atal Tinkering Labs.
Friends,
There are many national level scientific institutes and laboratories in the states. The states should take full advantage of their ability and expertise. We also have to take our science related institutions out of the state of silos. Optimum utilization of all scientific institutions is equally necessary for better utilization of the state's potential and resources. You should also increase the number of such programs in your states which take science and technology forward at the grassroots level. But we also have to keep one thing in mind. For example, science festivals are held in many states but it is also true that many schools do not participate in it. We should find the reasons and make more and more schools part of such science festivals. I also suggest all the ministers to keep a close eye on the 'Science Curriculum' of your state as well as other states. You can replicate in your state what is good in other states. To promote science in the country, it is equally necessary to build infrastructure related to science and technology in every state.
Friends,
In this ‘Amrit Kaal’, we have to work wholeheartedly so that India's research and innovation ecosystem becomes the best in the world. With the wish that this conclave will come out with meaningful and timely solutions in this direction, I congratulate all of you. I am sure that new dimensions and resolutions will be added in the progress of science during this brainstorming. We will not lose the opportunity which is there in the future. We have a very valuable 25 years. These 25 years will stand India out in the world with a new identity, strength and potential. And therefore friends, this time should become a force in the field of science and technology in your state in true sense. I am sure that you will extract that nectar from this brainstorming session which will add to the progress of the country along with research in your respective states. Many congratulations! Thanks a lot!
