NEW DELHI: PM Modi on Tuesday urged the global community to “invest in Indian talent and innovate in India”, saying the country has the brightest minds and the government stands ready to address any challenge besides improving the environment for research.
“The biggest long-term challenge science faces is to attract high quality youngsters and retain them. Often, the domain of technology and engineering seem more attractive to the youth than pure science. However, for any country to develop, it needs science to power it. Because, as they say: what is called science today, becomes technology of tomorrow and an engineering solution later,” said the PM while inaugurating the 6th India International Science Festival (IISF), the festival will be held till December 25.
He said, “All our efforts are aimed at making India the most trustworthy centre for scientific learning. At the same time, we want our scientific community to share and grow with the best of global talent. No wonder India has become very active in hosting and participating in hackathons. They are held in India and abroad. It gives both exposure and opportunity to our scientists.”
RSS-linked science body, Vigyan Bharati, is the knowledge partner of the department of science & technology on the IISF.
The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Science for Self-Reliant India and Global Welfare’.