Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. HARSH Vardhan appeals to the scientific community to synergize professionally
The Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan made a fervent appeal to the scientific community to synergize professionally to make India achieve a superpower status in the field of scientific research.Dr. Harsh Vardhan was addressing a gathering of scientists and students at the Agharkar Research Institute in Pune today.
'Bigger dreams are more productive than big labs', said Dr Harsh Vardhan. Citing the examples of Sir JC Bose, Sir CV Raman, Dr Meghnad Saha and others, Dr Harsh Vardhan made a mention of the great achievements of Indians in the past. 'Now we have state-of-the-art laboratories and we need to work in coordination,' said Dr Harsh Vardhan.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan pointed out that India ranked third in the world in nanotechnology research and sixth in papers published. This, he said, could be bettered with synergistic efforts between scientists.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan highlighted the fact that various research institutes were working on similar areas at different levels of achievements but there needed to be coordination and cooperation between them.
'Development of technology of social relevance and welfare is more relevant than just developing and patenting it,' said Dr Harsh Vardhan. He elaborated his point by citing how Sir Bose made the crescograph available to the society instead of patenting it.
Citing the example of the success of the polio vaccine campaign in India, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that he first conceived the idea in 1993 and it was successfully implemented in Delhi and later received support in Pune.
'With the start-up culture being supported by the Government of India, this was the most opportune time to conceive and execute technologies of social relevance,' said Dr Harsh Vardhan.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan appreciated the contributions made by the late Prof. SP Agharkar, the founder-director of ARI, in establishing the Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science. At ARI, Dr Harsh Vardhan visited the research facilities and took keen interest in its research achievements. Dr DR Bapat, President, MACS in his presidential remarks mentioned how the coordinated projects in agriculture had improved the crop production in India.
