"It is not that for first time in the world that a programme of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has taken place on flood plains of river, it is not that. Many such programmes happen but there is cleanliness there is no environmental loss there. When NGT had asked us, we had given an affidavit to NGT. We said that as per present laws, for such programmes, environmental clearance is not required.
Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's mega event was mired in controversy for allegedly violating green norms.
The event here has been embroiled in controversy after environmentalists alleged that its preparations have damaged the ecology of Yamuna flood plains and demanded that it be stopped.
Also Read
economy and create new jobs.
"But how innovations will happen? The seeds of higher learning are the basis for good innovations and research," he said.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach to higher learning, he said Modi is "committed to improving higher learning centres and convert them into centres of excellence and centres for innovation and research."
He talked about the Centre's 'Uchchatar Avishkar Yojana' (UAY) that aims at better industry-academia interaction.
"Now industry has given their customised requirements and IIT faculty and students will work out those ideas and come out with solution. More than 100 ideas are being worked out, more than Rs 260 crore have been earmarked for that," he said.
"When PM says 'Make in India', he says come and innovate. He is calling back innovators, Indian minds and talent, come here, innovate here, we will provide all facilities," he said.
Javadekar said the country now has a global research interactive network in which students will be provided scholarship and opportunity to work with top-end foreign laboratories and again come back to India and continue with their research.
He said higher educational entities are being provided finances with thrust on improving research infrastructure in the next three years so that Indian talent can be retained.