"Scientists must commit themselves to addressing problems of affordable health care, housing and clean water,’’ said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the 106th Indian Science Congress held at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab.
Indian scientists made giant strides last year with their path-breaking innovations, said Modi. “Among our achievements last year are the production of aviation-grade biofuels, Divya Nayan—a machine for the visually impaired—affordable diagnostic tools for cervical cancer, TB and dengue. Real time landslide warning system set up in the Sikkim-Darjeeling belt offers much hope. However, we have a long way to go. The future is about convergence and connected technology,’’ he said. Speaking of Gaganyaan Mission, he said that, in 2022, three Indians would be sent to space. ‘’A strong research ecosystem must be developed in our universities and colleges. While science is universal, technology must be local,’’ he said.
The Science Congress, with the theme of ‘Future India: Science and Technology’, will feature a range of plenary sessions on topics ranging from diabetes and trends of research in neuro-degenerative diseases, to climate change and health, gut bacteria and probiotics, and recent advancements in ecological sciences. Scientists, researchers and policymakers from institutions such as Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) are expected to be part of the sessions. Nobel laureates participating in the sessions include Thomas Sudoph, Prof Avram Hershko and Frederick Duncan Michael Haldane. One of the highlights of this year will be a Women’s Science Congress, showcasing the contributions of women to science, technology and society.
The Indian Science Congress Association, with its humble beginnings in Kolkata, in 1914, is now a fraternity of more than 30,000 scientists.
