‘Do research work for solutions to people’s problems’
Scientists and research institutes have social responsibility: Harsh Vardhan
LUCKNOW : Union minister for science and technology Harsh Vardhan on Friday exhorted scientists to carry out research work and come up with innovations to find solutions to the problems of commoners.
He assured scientists all help from the Centre for carrying out research work.
“Scientists and researchers should ensure that their work aims at resolving issues of the country. Similar to corporate social responsibility (CSR), scientists and research institutes should take part in scientific social responsibility in order to give something back to the society,” said the minister who was here to inaugurate the Young Scientists’ Conference – the first session of the fourth India International Science Festival (IISF), at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow.
The event is organised by the ministry of science and technology and ministry of earth sciences. President Ram Nath Kovind will formally inaugurate the IISF at the IGP on Saturday.
Vardhan said ‘brain drain’ was passé and the country was getting ‘brain gain’ and the enormous gathering at the programme was an example of this.
The minister termed the IISF as one of the grandest events to have been organised in the history of the country.
“It’s a grand event that witnessed more than 77 curtain-raiser programmes in more than 40 cities across the country,” added Vardhan.
The aim behind organising Young Scientists’ Conference was to provide an enabling eco-system to budding scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs where they could discuss and present their findings and innovative ideas.
The minister also urged students to carry out people-centric research.
“Efforts made by students (at the science exhibition) prove that we can find solutions to all problems,” he said addressing students at the concluding ceremony on first day of the IISF at the IGP.
The minister stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to build a new India by finding solutions to all problems.
“The United Nations has honoured PM Narendra Modi with an award for efforts made by him to keep the environment clean and various other works,” he said. Stressing on the importance of science, Vardhan said: “Now, science is creating wealth also. Scientists have converted garbage into bio-diesel.”
The union minister urged students to come up with new ideas to find solution for global warming and climate change.