Make science people centric

Kohima: Minister for Science and Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan has pointed out that approach of science has to be people-centric and the common man should not remain deprived of its benefits.

"Common people should not remain deprived of the benefits of science," Vardhan said while launching the Department of Biotechnology, DBT, under Government of India funded Twinning Network Program on Chemical Ecology of North East Region with Bangalore-based scientists here.

Stressing on the intellectual acumen of young minds of the region, the Union minister said their coming together would produce dramatic results in meeting objectives of organic farming which is the need of the hour.

He also underlined the need for fostering better coordination and support among science professionals. Twinning Network Program on Chemical Ecology is a new collaborative and interdisciplinary programme in Chemical Ecology between institutions in the NER and partners in Bangalore.

This platform aims to provide a strong stimulus to ongoing research in the NER, while building enduring research and training links with partner institutions in Bangalore. Vardhan, who was in the state as part of his two-day maiden visit, last evening inaugurated DBT funded Biotech Infrastructure Facility at ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun at Jharnapani, Medziphema under Dimapur district.

In his address at ICAR, Vardhan said it had been his long cherished dream to visit Nagaland which finally came true. "I have this strong conviction that science has the potential to solve many problems faced by our country even after 69 years of Independence," he said