Must develop Scientific Social Responsibility: Modi

​Tirupati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday advocated scientific social responsibility (SSR) for leading scientific institutions on the lines of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to promote scientific excellence in all stakeholders, including educational institutions.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 104th Indian Science Congress, Modi said that research needed to be strengthened in line with international standards.

"On the lines of corporate social responsibility, concept of scientific social responsibility needs to be inculcated to connect our leading institutions to all stake holders, including schools and colleges," he said.

Reiterating government support to different streams of scientific knowledge, Modi urged S&T institutions to strengthen their basic research to global standards and to translate the basic knowledge into innovations, start-ups and industry to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.

Modi said that by 2030, India would be among the top three countries in science and technology. "Science must meet the rising aspirations of the people."

"We must address the problems of urban-rural divide and work for inclusive development, economic growth and employment generation.

To enable this, there is a need for a new overarching structure that will coordinate with all the relevant stakeholders," he added.

The Prime Minister said some of the important challenges for the nation were in the key sectors of clean water and energy, food, environment, climate, security and healthcare.

"We equally need to keep an eye on the rise of disruptive technologies and be prepared to leverage them for growth.

We need to clearly assess the challenges and opportunities for our technology readiness and competitiveness," he said.

Modi also spoke on the rapid global rise of Cyber Physical Systems and said this has the potential to pose unprecedented challenges and stresses to our demographic dividend.

But we can turn it into a huge opportunity by research, training and skilling in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, big data analysis, quantum communication and internet of things, he said.

Modi noted that the Technology Vision 2035 document released at last year's Science Congress, was now developing into a detailed roadmap for 12 key technology sectors. Further, the NITI Aayog was evolving a holistic science and technology vision for the country.

He has stressed the need for involving outstanding scientists from abroad, including NRIs and Ph D scholars for research projects, leveraging international partnerships and collaborations to make Indian Science globally competitive.

Ministry of Science and Technology is also initiating a programme for students of 6 to 10 class for seeding ideas and innovation to broaden the base of innovation and secure future of nation,

the PM said and emphasized on equal opportunities to the girl child to enroll and excel in the under-represented disciplines of science and engineering and women participation in nation building.

Modi paid rich tributes to Dr MGK Menon, who passed away recently and acknowledged the achievement of Indian Space Programme which has put India among the top space faring nations.

Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and others were present at the inaugural session.

"Science & Technology for National Development" is the theme of the five-day Congress being held at Sri Venkateswara University.

Six Nobel Prize winners from different countries such as the US, Japan, Israel, France and Bangladesh are attending the event besides about 12,000 scientists and scholars from across the country.

It is the second time that Tirupati is hosting the Indian Science Congress. The first was held in the temple town in 1983.