Engineers urged to address everyday problems

New Delhi: Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan urged engineers to come up with solutions for complex, but day-to-day problems, of people so that they can reap the benefits of science.

He also asked the engineers to come out with innovations that can help Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious project 'Swachch Bharat Abhiyan'.

Somehow the benefits of innovation have never reached the common man because of the affordability factors. I urge you to seek solutions for the complex, but daily problems of people.

"You can give technological solutions for Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, even if five good scientists apply their mind on how to gather waste and dispose it... today we still have people sweeping and cleaning sewers manually," Vardhan said.

He was addressing the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CATES) Convocation, which started on Tuesday.

The event is being hosted by Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), its Indian chapter. Delegations of more than 70 countries are expected to visit this two-day event.

He said the ancient Indian had knowledge on metallics, architecture and various other sciences. "The whole world used to come to India till 1856.

In all our things, whether it is architecture, engineering or science technology, arts, culture, commerce, economy, in everything we were at the top position.

Today, we have been facing many challenges, but our scientists and engineers in this country have brought many solutions to the problems," Vardhan added.