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Let research be complex, not government procedures: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The prime minister shares his vision of a modern India on the pillars of science and technology, promises to provide a more conducive atmosphere to the scientific community

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Prime minister Narendra Modi felicitates 2002 Chemistry Nobel Prize winner Kurt Wuthrich of Switzerland during the 102nd Indian Science Congress at University of Mumbai on Saturday
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Expressing the need for according highest priority to science, technology and innovation for transforming the country Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that the government would provide an atmosphere free from red-tapism to the scientific community and universities to pursue world-class research work.

He was addressing the 102 Indian Science Congress inaugural ceremony, which was also attended by six Nobel laureates and stalwarts from the scientific community from India and across the globe. The University of Mumbai is the host for the Science Congress.

Challenges in development will shape our priorities, said Modi, emphasising that only science and technology alone can provide solutions to several problems that the country is currently facing. He said that affordable housing, clean energy, agriculture productivity, sanitation and what not, science and technology can transform the country into a prosperous nation.

Expressing the need for every government to think of applying science and technology for improving the work and efficiency, the PM said that each government department would have an officer, who has this inclination and training for putting science and technology to use for the department. He said that there would be specific percentage of budget allocation of each department for appointing such officers and promote such initiatives.

Modi stressed that our scientists should be focussing more on conducting world-class research instead of spending time complying with procedures and documentations. "For this, the university system would be freed from unnecessary regulations and procedures." Modi said that there was a need for the industry to spend a part of their corporate social responsibility funding on science and technology related activities so that doing research too can become as easy as doing a business.

"We want our scientists and researchers to explore the mysteries of science and not of government procedures. We want them to consider publications, not government approvals. Funding proposals should not take too long to get clearance. Meeting applications, requirements should not become more complex than research."

Emphasising on the need for spreading knowledge of technology, particularly among children, Modi said, `let us use internet to bring our scientists in direct contact with our children and youth. Digital connectivity should become as much a basic right as access to schools.' Maintaining that a nation's progress and its human development were linked to science and technology, he said China's emergence as the second biggest economy was parallel to its rise to the second place in the field of scientific activity.

He said that the universities must be freed from excessive regulations and cumbersome procedures so that they can have a higher degree of academic freedom and autonomy, which will allow them to give importance to research. He also assured that he has placed science and technology at the forefront of the country's diplomatic engagements.

Underlining the role of scientists in reducing poverty, fighting hunger and conquering disease, Modi said science and technology can remove national barriers, unify the world and bring nations together. At the same time, he cautioned that science can also increase inequality, make wars more lethal and damage the environment. Modi, however, insisted human development has been the "larger purpose and the driving force" of Indian scientific pursuit.

Maharashtra chief minister said there was a need to find solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. He informed the audience that the state had spent Rs8000 crore in last five years only as a result of climate change impact.

Science Congress general president Dr S B Nimse assured the PM that the scientific community would strive to realise the dream of building a modern India with world-class scientific manpower.

Many confused faces
Union Minister Dr Harsha Vardhan's statements that Pythagorean theorem was India's contribution, much before Pythagoras came up with the formula, raised many eyebrows, including the some from the scientific community. Interestingly, he further added that India knew Beejganit but it was attributed to Arabs for discovering the Algebra and India did not object to it.

Organisers can't recognise Nobel laureate
Nobel Peace Prize winner for 2006 from Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus arrived at the main pandal but since the volunteers did not recognise him, he was taken to a seat in the seventh row. Later, he was brought to front row since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to felicitate all the Nobel Prize winners during the inaugural function.

Modi magic still works
Even though there were six Nobel Laureates along with galaxy of stalwarts from scientific community, the entire crowd mainly of college and school students rose from their chairs when Prime Minister Modi came to address them. The crowd gave slogans of 'Modi, Modi' when Prime Minister started his address and after his 28-minute speech was over, half the arena became empty.

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