India should allocate more funds towards research and development than the 0.8 per cent of the GDP that it currently sets aside, said G.Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras.

“India has only 1.5 lakh core researchers as compared to China's figure of 9 lakh,” he said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Chennai Science Festival here on Friday, he said: “These kinds of science fests are an important first step towards cultivating an interest in science.”

Minister for Higher Education, P.Palaniappan, inaugurated the festival with its theme ‘Science in Everyday Life' at the Anna Gem Science Park School on Gandhi Mandapam Road. The Minister also presented the Children's Science Academy Awards and the Tamil Nadu Young Women Scientists Award for 2010. The Tamil Nadu Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Ganga Radhakrishnan, CSIR emeritus scientist, CLRI, for her contribution to the field of chemical sciences.

“A scientific temper will help the country advance,” said T.S.Sridhar, Higher Education Secretary. Science is the foundation, engineering the application of science and technology is applied engineering, said P.Mannar Jawahar, Vice-Chancellor, Anna University.

“Students should be part of the festival and understand the importance of science,” said V.K.Subburaj, vice chairman, Science City that is organising the festival in association with Anna University.

The festival will be open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. till January 30.

Keywords: core research, India

Share