In major boost to scientific research and development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced projects including a National Mission on High Performance Computing and a Neutrino-based Observatory in Tamil Nadu with an outlay of about Rs.9,000 crore.
Asserting that government has invested in several areas to ensure that India remains at the cutting edge of science, he also announced that India is joining the CERN Institute, a premier European Organisation for Nuclear Research, as an associate member.
Addressing the Indian Science Congress for the tenth year in succession, Singh said India needs to leverage the ability of modern science to deliver value to society.
"We must also seek global leadership in at least some research and development areas. Affordable innovations for human healthcare, sustainable agriculture, clean energy and total solutions for water-related challenges are some areas where Indian science can seek global leadership," he told delegates to the Congress.
The inauguration of the 5-day meet was attended among others by Union Science and Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
With "Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development" as its theme for this year's Congress, the five-day meet is being attended by around 500 scientists from India and abroad, two Nobel laureates Lee Y T and Ferid Murad.
Former President A P J Abdul Kalam and Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Avinash Chander will be among those who deliver lectures.
