Prime Minister, Narendra Modi called to bridge the gap
between science and indigenous knowledge while speaking to the august gathering
of
Nobel Laureates, Scientists and
delegates across the world during the inauguration of 103rd Indian Science
Congress, at the University of the Mysore, Mysore today. Modi stressed that,
innovation in approach is not just the obligation of thegovernment, but also
the responsibility of the private sector and the academia. It was the time of a
new awakening in India which sought not just freedom, but also human
advancement in India. He drew the attention of the delegates towards the one of
the biggest challenges for the world, and one that dominated global attention
last year which is to define a path to a more prosperous future for our world
and a more sustainable future for our planet. We were consistent in our
message that it is not enough to speak of targets and restraints but it is
essential to find solutions that help us easy transition to a future of clean
energy said the Prime Minister. For this, he
stressed on 3 A’s Available, Accessible and Affordable for all.
Prime minister suggested for the
network of 30-40 universities and labs focusing for next 10 years on
transforming the way we produce, distribute and consume energy which he said he
will also pursue in G 20. This is especially critical for India to achieve
target of adding 175 GW of renewable generation by 2022. He called to employ
fossil fuel for more efficient use and tap newer sources of renewable energy
like ocean waves to geo thermal. Calling the century as Urban Century where by middle of this
century two thirds of world’s population will live in the cities he said that,
studies suggest that nearly 40% of the global urban population lives in
informal settlements, or slums, where they face a range of health and nutritional
challenges.
He said that, the impact of science
will be the most when scientists and technologists will keep the principles of what I call Five Es at the centre of their enquiry
and engineering: Economy, Environment, Energy, Empathy and
Equity. The occasion saw the
presence of Shri. Vajubhai
Rudabhai Vala, Governor of
Karnataka, Shri. Siddaramaiah,
Chief Minister of Karnataka, Dr.
Harsh Vardhan, Minister of
Science and Technology and Earth
Sciences, Government of
India, Shri. Y.S. Chowdary, minister
of State for Science and
Technology and Earth Sciences,
Government of India, Dr.
Ashok Kumar Saxena, General President 
