Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday added 'Jai Anusandhan' to the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' coined by the late Lal Bahadur Shastri, hailing the power of research to propel the nation into the top league.
Addressing the 106th Indian Science Congress here, Modi said India must place emphasis on its research output.
"Today's new slogan is 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan'. I would like to add 'Jai Anusandhan' to it," he said.
The research now should have two objectives, he said: generation of disruptive technologies and consumption of that technology for socio economic well-being.
"Our scientists must commit themselves to addressing problems of affordable healthcare, housing, clean air, water and energy, agricultural productivity and food processing.
"While science is universal, technology must be local for providing solutions relevant to local needs and conditions," he said.
He advised that though the number of research papers coming from India had increased, "we must not do research for the sake of it".
"India has enlightened the world since ancient times. Now the time has come that India regains its earlier status," Modi said.
Continuing his emphasis on research, the Prime Minister said 95 per cent of students still study in state universities and colleges "where research is limited".
"A strong ecosystem is needed to be developed at these universities and colleges."
The farmers' distress also found mention in his speech. Modi said that a big problem with agriculture was that most farmers were farming on less than two hectares of land.
"These people have most need of technology to use their limited resources.
"We have achieved success in ease of doing business, now we need to focus on 'ease of living'," he said.
The five-day Science Congress will host a series of seminars and talks on science related issues revolving around the theme 'Future India: Science and Technology'.
The Congress has a rich legacy during both, pre and post-independence India, having been chaired in the past by such illustrious scientists as Meghnad Saha, J.C. Bose, C.V. Raman, Homi J. Bhabha, Satyendra Nath Bose, C.N.R. Rao and P.C. Mahalanobis.
The first day saw a gathering of around 15,000 people including students, scientists and delegates.
"This is probably the biggest gathering of scientists under one banner in history of mankind," claimed Ashok Mittal, Chancellor of Lovely Professional University where the event is being hosted.
--IANS
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