Better technologies needed to enhance quality of life: Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said it was society’s collective responsibility to inspire the younger generation to take up innovative research as evolution of better technologies in every field was needed to enhance the quality of life. 

"Technology plays a very important role in improving the quality of our lives. The progress of science has led to the evolution of better technologies in every field, especially in the areas of health and environment," Patnaik said. 

Inaugurating the five-day 26th National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC-2018) here, he said "I think it is our collective responsibility to inspire the younger generation to take up innovative research in this direction.” 

Patnaik said the state government was focusing on development of scientific temper among the children through different science based programmes at various levels and establishment of science parks and planetariums at the district level to generate interest among children in various aspects of science and technology. 

Referring to the theme of NCSC 2018, 'Science, Technology and Innovation for a Clean, Green and Healthy Nation', Patnaik said "it has been aptly chosen as environment and health have emerged as two major concerns of our times." 

Nearly 800 children from all over the country, including 10 ASEAN nations and five Gulf countries, besides around 400 scientists, evaluators, and mentors are attending the conference. 

The conference will continue till December 31. Patnaik congratulated the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) for organising the event and Siksha O Anusandhan (SOA) for playing host.  

The Chief Minister said Bhubaneswar had emerged as the knowledge hub of Eastern India with world class educational and research institutions like IIT, AIIMS, NISER, Institute of Physics and Institute of Life Sciences coming up in the city. 

Patnaik also released a special postal cover to mark the occasion presented to him by G Gurunathan, Director of Postal Services (HQ) in Bhubaneswar. 

School and Mass Education, Science and Technology, Minister Badri Narayan Patra, said a nations’ progress was invariably linked to science and technology, which has helped raise the quality of life. 

Dr Sujit Banerjee, National Programme Coordinator of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, said around 56 per cent of the participants in the NCSC 2018 were girls, while attempts were being made to bridge the rural-urban gap with 40 per cent of the children being from rural areas.