Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has exhorted scientists and researchers to develop scientific technologies in a time-bound manner and ensure that such advancements are suited to address local problems.
He was delivering in absentia the inaugural address at the 27th Kerala Science Congress which got under way at Alappuzha on Tuesday. A clipping of the Chief Minister’s inaugural address was screened at the function.
Mr. Chandy was of the view that scientific research must focus on improving living standards of the common man, alleviating poverty, and ecological conservation. “Permanent solutions are required to tackle the problems faced by the common man such as clean water, energy, sanitation and housing facility. The scientific community must take it as a challenge to devise methods to solve burning issues such as waste management, environmental pollution, and communicable diseases,” he said.
The Chief Minister highlighted the need to revive traditional industries by incorporating modern technological advancements.
“Research institutions must tie up with such industrial units to ensure comprehensive progress of the State. The Kerala Perspective Plan 2030, being formulated by the government, is relevant in this regard. The government has launched numerous projects that aim at sustainable development and economic development.”
Mr. Chandy said the government had issued directions to fill vacancies in all institutions of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE). The retirement age of scientists and administrative employees had been unified.
An amount of Rs.25 crore had been sanctioned for launching a pension scheme for scientists.
K.C. Venugopal, MP, presided over the function.
The Dr. S. Vasudev Award was presented to Lissymol P.P., Scientist D, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram. The award, which consists of a cash prize of Rs.50,000 and a certificate, was given away for her research work on ‘Development of smart dental composites consist of calcium containing resins and fillers.’
Young Scientist Awards were also given away at the function. Scientist and chairperson of the Science Congress Tessy Thomas delivered the keynote address.
Former Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology T. Ramasami, KSCSTE member secretary K.K. Ramachandran, Science Congress general convener K.R. Lekha, and organising committee chairperson B.G. Sreedevi spoke on the occasion.