03 JAN,Delhi: Namaskar, Many congratulations to all of you for organizing the ‘Indian Science Congress’. The role of India’s scientific power will be very important when India will be at its pinnacle in the next 25 years. Unprecedented results follow when the determination to serve the country is combined with the passion in science. I am confident that the scientific community of the country will help India achieve the position it deserves in the 21st century. I also want to share the reason for this belief with you. You all know that observation is the basic foundation of science. Scientists follow patterns through observation and they reach a conclusion after analyzing those patterns.
It is very important for a scientist to collect and analyze data at every step. We have two things in abundance in today’s 21st century India. First – data and second – technology. Both of them have the power to take India’s science to new heights. The field of Data Analysis is progressing at a fast pace. It helps in converting information into insight and analysis into actionable knowledge. Whether it is traditional knowledge or modern technology, both of them are helpful in scientific discovery. Therefore, we have to develop investigative attitudes towards different techniques to make our scientific process stronger.
Friends,
We are also seeing the results of the scientific approach with which today’s India is moving forward. India is fast becoming one of the top countries of the world in the field of science. Out of 130 countries, we were at number 81 in the Global Innovation Index till 2015. But we have jumped to 40th position in 2022. Today India is among the top three countries in the world in terms of PhDs. Today India is among the top three countries in the world in terms of start-up ecosystem.
Friends,
I am happy that the theme of the Indian Science Congress this time is such which is being discussed the most in the world. The future of the world is secure only with sustainable development. You have linked the topic of sustainable development with women empowerment. I believe that these two are related to each other practically also. Today the country does not think about women empowerment through science only. Rather, our aim is that we should empower science with the participation of women and give new momentum to science and research. Recently, India got the responsibility of chairing the G-20 group. Women-led development is also a major priority among the major topics of the G-20. In the last eight years, India has accomplished many such extraordinary things from governance to society and economy, which are being discussed today. Whether it is participation in small industries and businesses through Mudra Yojana or leadership in the start-up world, women are displaying their mettle everywhere in India. The participation of women in extramural research and development has doubled in the last eight years. This increasing participation of women is proof that the society as well as science is also progressing in the country.
Friends,
The real challenge for any scientist is to convert his knowledge into applications that can help the world. When a scientist goes through his experiments, he always has this question in his mind whether it will improve the lives of the people or will his discovery meet the requirements of the world? Scientific efforts can turn into great achievements only when they hit the ground from the lab, when their impact is from global to grassroots, when they expand from journals to reality and when the innovations from research reflect in real life.
Friends,
An important message is conveyed when great achievements of science progress from experiments to experiences of people. This influences the youth a lot. They think that they can influence the whole world through science. Institutional framework is needed to encourage such youth so that their aspirations can be expanded and new opportunities are offered to them. I would like the scientists present here to develop such an institutional framework which would attract young talents and give them an opportunity to progress. For example, talent hunts and hackathon events can be organized to spot scientifically minded children. Then the perception of those children can be developed through a proper roadmap. Senior scientists can help them in this regard. Today we see India scaling new heights in sports. There are two important reasons behind this. First, the institutional framework was strengthened in the country to develop sports talents. Second, the existence and influence of the ‘guru-shishya’ tradition in sports was developed so that new talents are recognized and nurtured and where the Guru sees his success in the achievement of his disciple. This tradition can also become the mantra of success in the field of science.