Visiting two premier scientific institutions in the city on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged scientists to reach out to students to instil scientific temper in them.
Around noon, Mr. Modi visited the National Centre for Biological Sciences, where he interacted with the faculty, students and staff on the scope of stem cell-based therapies, possibilities of international collaborative research as well as furthering research into traditional Indian medicine.
Scientists there pointed out that India’s spending on science and research was far lower than that of China, where spending reaches nearly 2 per cent of its gross domestic product. “We believe that ‘Make in India’ needs ‘Discover in India’,” said Upinder Bhalla, NCBS faculty. The thought was echoed by the Prime Minister, who reiterated the need for supporting Indian “discovery science” to boost the economy.
Mr. Modi believed there was a need to make basic science a viable career option for the youth.
At IISc.
Meanwhile, at the Indian Institute of Science, Mr. Modi laid the foundation stone for the ‘Centre for Brain Research’, while also inaugurating the Centre for Nano Science Engineering — which is the most sophisticated cluster of micro and nanotech laboratories in the country.
The Prime Minister also witnessed the signing of an MoU between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Super Wave Technology Pvt. Ltd. The deal will enable collaboration to develop new technology for drilling of oil and gas.
