The 5 Es of enquiry, engineering
PM Modi speaks to scientists and students at the 103rd Indian Science Congress
BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flair for coining alliterative slogans was on display on Sunday when he gave the country’s scientific community a new mantra with five “E”s -- economy, environment, energy, empathy, equity.
“The impact of science will be the most when scientists and technologists will keep the principles of what I call Five Es at the centre of their enquiry and engineering,” Modi told eminent scientists, Nobel laureates and hundreds of students from across the country at the inauguration of the 103rd Indian Science Congress in Mysuru.
In his speech, Modi listed maritime research, city planning, climate change and sustainability as areas where he would like greater thrust from scientists.
Promising to increase allocations for science research, he said, “I’m encouraging greater scientific collaboration between central and state institutions. We are launching Start Up India which will encourage innovation and enterprise. We will make it easier to do science and research in India.”
While repeatedly raising the issue of clean and affordable energy, he made clear India’s position as a third world country which should not be compared with polluters from the developed world. “Innovation is important not just for combating climate change but also climate justice,” he said.
Referring to the so-called trap of development, he said, “Cities are the major engines of economic growth, employment, opportunities and prosperity. But cities also account for more than twothirds of global energy demand and result in up to 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. We must develop better scientific tools to improve city planning with sensitivity to local ecology and heritage.”
‘NEED SELF-RELIANCE IN DEFENCE PRODUCTION’ TUMAKURU: PM Modi on Sunday made a strong pitch for India’s selfreliance in defence production, saying it has to be ensured that the weaponry and equipment its soldiers carry should be “the best in the world”. “If India has to be self-reliant in the area of security, we have to make our own weapons,” he said speaking after laying the foundation stone for a Rs 5,000 crore greenfield helicopter project of HAL at Biderhalla Kaval in the district.