PM Narendra Modi calls for revolution in science, technology in India

Bengaluru: Claiming that science and technology would play a key role in India becoming a $5-trillion economy by 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for a revolution in both the fields.

"We need revolution in science and technology, as they will play a key role in making India a $5-trillion economy by 2024," Modi said after inaugurating the 107th Indian Science Congress in this tech city.

Calling for a revolution in technologies assisting agricultural practices, Modi asked the scientific community to find farmer-centric solutions to the problem of stalk burning.

"Similarly, can our scientists and technologists re-design brick kilns for reducing emissions and increase energy efficiency. We must find ways to store energy. Technology has to be used for rural development and enable farmers to sell their produce directly in the market," said the Prime Minister on the occasion.

Noting that science has a key role in the development and growth of the country, Modi said losses of farmers due to bottlenecks in the supply chain should be fixed by using applied technology.

"Digital technology, e-commerce, mobile banking services are helping farmers effectively. Technology has made it possible to build two crore houses for the poor in time," he asserted.

Declaring that the government was making efforts for the ease of doing science, the Prime Minister said Information Technology (IT) was being used effectively to reduce red tape in administration and governance.

"As air pollution and waste management are becoming a challenge for the country, we must find ways to convert waste into wealth. Scientists should find an alternative to plastic and invent a device to recycle water," Modi noted.

Pointing out that "Swach Bharat" (Clean India Mission) and "Ayushman Bharat" (National Health Protection Scheme) were becoming successful due to extensive use of science and technology, the Prime Minister said the country should be able to eradicate TB (Tuberculosis) by 2020 as India was a global leader in supplying vaccines.

"Another important point I wish to make is the significance of "Make in India" in medical devices to bring the fruits of advances in diagnostics to our people," added Modi.